Extortion Case: Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Leader Arrested, Tk 2.25 Crore in Cheques Recovered

Dhaka, July 31, 2025 – In a significant development in an extortion case, Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) recovered cheques worth Tk 2.25 crore from the rented residence of Abdur Razzak Bin Solaiman, alias Riyad, a former leader of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, in Nakhhalpara. Riyad was arrested in connection with an extortion attempt at the residence of former MP Shammi Ahmed.

During a press conference on Wednesday at the DMP Media Centre, Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Muhammad Talebur Rahman disclosed the recovery of the cheques but did not specify the issuing entity. Police sources, however, revealed that the cheques were obtained from Trade Zone, a business entity owned by former Awami League MP from Rangpur-6 (Pirganj), Abul Kalam Azad, which operates a garment factory among other ventures.

Saiful Islam, the manager of Trade Zone, told that Riyad and five others had taken cheques worth Tk 5 crore, not just Tk 2.25 crore, comprising 11 cheques. He clarified that no funds were withdrawn as Trade Zone deliberately kept the associated bank accounts empty. Saiful alleged that Riyad and his associates continued to threaten Azad after failing to encash the cheques. He detailed how Riyad’s group forcibly entered Trade Zone’s Green Road office on June 26, confiscated phones, and coerced Azad into signing 11 cheques totaling Tk 5 crore under threats, including displaying images of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina and threatening to garland Azad with shoes. On July 17, Riyad and four others were caught red-handed by police while attempting to extort money from Shammi Ahmed’s husband, Siddik Abu Jafar, after initially extracting Tk 10 lakh. The other accused include Ibrahim Hossain (alias Munna), Sakadaun Siam, Sadman Sadab, and a minor. The four adult suspects are currently under remand, while the minor has been sent to a juvenile correction center. A case was filed by Siddik Abu Jafar at Gulshan Police Station. Ibrahim Hossain was the convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s Dhaka Metropolitan branch, while Riyad was the joint convener of its private university wing and later a member of the central committee of the Democratic Student Parliament. Sakadaun Siam and Sadman Sadab were members of the Dhaka Metropolitan branch. All have been expelled from the organization, and all committees except the central one have been suspended. At the press conference, Talebur Rahman stated that the cheques, issued by Janata Bank, included two worth Tk 1 crore each, one for Tk 15 lakh, and one for Tk 10 lakh. The recipient and date fields were blank, though the cheques bore signatures and Trade Zone’s seal. Police are investigating whether others are involved, and a separate case is being prepared at Kalabagan Police Station regarding the cheque recovery. Saiful Islam noted that Trade Zone is preparing to file an extortion case. The incident has sparked widespread discussion, with police noting that the suspects targeted various areas in Dhaka for extortion. A visit to Riyad’s family home revealed ongoing construction, raising questions about sudden wealth. Former Anti-Discrimination Student Movement spokesperson Umama Fatema commented on Facebook, suggesting that the roots of such activities run deep.

The case continues to unfold as police probe the extent of Riyad’s extortion network.