Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad’s Apu confesses in Gulshan extortion case

Jaane Alam Apu, also known as Kazi Gaurab Apu, has given a confessional statement in court over allegations of extortion at the residence of a former MP in Gulshan.

Apu, a joint convenor for the Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangasad, was presented before the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday following a four-day interrogation, where he wanted to confess voluntarily.

Magistrate Jamshed Alam recorded his statement and later ordered his transfer to jail.

Before Apu, the case’s prime accused Abdur Razzak Riyad also gave a confessional statement.

Riyad is the former acting convenor of the Students Against Discrimination’s combined private university chapter.

Others arrested in the case include Ibrahim Hossain, convenor of the Students Against Discrimination’s Dhaka city, along with members Sakadaun Siam, Sadman Sadab, and a minor.

In response, the student organisation has permanently expelled the accused leaders, and suspended all unit-level operations except for the central committee.

The group cited violations of organisational discipline and policies.

The extortion case was filed at Gulshan Police Station on Jul 26 by Siddique Abu Zafar, husband of former reserved seat MP Shammi Ahmed.

According to the case files, on the morning of Jul 17, Riyad and Apu visited the Gulshan residence of Shammi and allegedly demanded Tk 5 million in cash and gold jewellery. When the demand was refused, they labelled the household as “allies of the Awami League” and threatened to have them arrested.

Zafar ultimately handed over Tk 1 million under duress, half from his own funds and half borrowed from his brother.

Later, on the night of Jul 19, Riyad and Apu allegedly returned and banged on the door of the flat. After the incident was reported to Gulshan police, they fled.

On Saturday, Riyad and others allegedly appeared again outside the residence and threatened the family over the remaining Tk 4 million, warning that failure to pay would lead to arrest.

The victims alerted Gulshan police, who apprehended five individuals at the scene. The sixth accused, Apu, managed to escape.