Tk 80 lakh recovery news 'rumour', claims BNP candidate Annie

Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, BNP candidate for the Lakshmipur-3 constituency, has dismissed reports of Tk 80 lakh being recovered from his election agent's vehicle as completely 'rumour'. He said the vehicle was checked as part of routine search operations, and approximately Tk 15 lakh found inside—intended for election expenditures—was verified as legitimate, after which authorities released the vehicle.

The incident at an army checkpoint in Jhumar area, Lakshmipur, sparked various discussions in the area on Wednesday evening, February 11.

Speaking on the matter, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie said, "My agent was travelling to various polling centres in the vehicle as part of election duties. En route, law enforcement personnel on duty searched the vehicle according to standard procedure. There was approximately Tk 15 lakh in the vehicle for centre-wise expenses. After verifying the necessary documents, authorities released the vehicle."

He added, "There is no reason to be confused about this incident. The vehicle was checked as part of routine search operations. Certain quarters are spreading false information and rumours to tarnish my reputation and question the election."

Badrul Alam Shyamal, the election agent present in the vehicle at the time, said, "On Wednesday evening, not only our vehicle but many others were also searched in Jhumar area. The information that I was detained or Tk 80 lakh was seized is not correct."

He alleged that opponents were deliberately spreading this propaganda to question the election.

According to local businessmen in Jhumar, law enforcement agencies set up a checkpoint in the area after 4:00 pm and searched over fifty vehicles. During this time, a black vehicle carrying Annie Chowdhury's election agent Shyamal was stopped and searched.

Witnesses said some money was found in the vehicle during the search, reportedly around Tk 15 lakh. Although army personnel questioned Shyamal, he was not detained. After nearly an hour, the vehicle was released and Shyamal was seen getting back into it and leaving. Businessmen said reports that he was detained or taken away were rumour.

Clarifying the matter, Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Mohammad Rezaul Haque said, "An army random checkpoint was set up in Jhumar area from the afternoon. All vehicles were checked there, including Annie Chowdhury's election agent Shyamal's vehicle. A bag full of money was found in the vehicle."

He further said, "Since there was money in the bag, the army personnel informed the judicial magistrate. The magistrate conducted a mobile court and found Tk 15 lakh. He verified where the money was being taken and for what purpose it was intended for expenditure. As no discrepancy was found in the accounts and no allegation was proven, they were released without any fine."