NCP leader jailed in fraud case

Sadia Akter, an NCP leader who was detained on charges of taking money on the pretext of providing family cards, has been sued in a fraud case filed at Netrokona Sadar police station. Priya Akter, the victim, filed the case on Tuesday night. Earlier that evening, local residents had detained her from the Kurpar area of Netrokona municipal town and handed her over to police. She was sent to jail through court on Wednesday.

Arrested Sadia Akter is the daughter of Saiful Islam of Tetulia village under Modonpur union of Netrokona Sadar upazila. She is a third-year honours student at Netrokona Government College and lives with her family in the Kurpar area of the district town. Abul Khayer, officer-in-charge of Netrokona Sadar police station, said Sadia is the organising secretary of the district NCP.

It is learnt that Sadia Akter took Tk 3,000 each from several local people on the pretext of providing them family cards. When she went again to the Kurpar area of Netrokona municipal town on Tuesday afternoon to collect money, local residents detained her and informed police. Police went there that evening, detained her and took her to the police station. Later that night, Priya Akter, wife of Sumon Mia, a resident of Bolaigua area of the municipal town, filed a case against her on charges of fraud. Police showed her arrested in the case on Wednesday and sent her to court, after which the judge ordered that she be sent to jail.

Complainant Priya Akter said Sadia took Tk 3,000 each from her and four others, telling her on Tuesday morning that she would arrange a family card for her. She said when Sadia went to collect Tk 3,000 from another person that afternoon, local people detained her, adding that since Sadia had defrauded them, they filed the case to seek justice.

Taj Uddin Faras Sentu, general secretary of Netrokona Sadar upazila BNP, said he had heard about Sadia Akter's detention over allegations of taking money on the pretext of providing family cards. He said no discussion or decision has yet been made regarding the provision of family cards in the sadar upazila, and urged that anyone found committing such fraud be handed over to police.

As Sadia Akter is in police custody, her comments could not be obtained. However, Fahim Rahman Khan Pathan, member secretary of the district NCP, said the matter is being investigated, adding that he feels Sadia may have fallen victim to a planned conspiracy. He said organisational action will be taken against Sadia if evidence is found of her involvement in any anti-organisational activities.

OC Abul Khayer said Sadia Akter, organising secretary of the district NCP, was first detained on allegations of taking money on the pretext of providing family cards, and was later shown arrested in the fraud case and sent to jail through court.