Jubo Dal leaders rush to kidney specialist Kamrul’s hospital after extortion allegation

Allegations of extortion at a well-known kidney specialist’s hospital in Dhaka’s Shyamoli have prompted senior Jatiotabadi Jubo Dal leaders to visit the facility late at night and speak with the doctor after claims that a man demanded Tk 500,000 posing as a party activist.

Around 1:30 am on Saturday, Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna and General Secretary Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayan, along with a delegation, visited CKD Urology Hospital and met Dr Kamrul Islam.

Dr Kamrul is widely known for providing low-cost kidney treatment and transplantation services.

The visit came after reports circulating on Daily Kaler Kantho’s Facebook page claimed that a local man known only as Moin, identifying himself as a Jubo Dal leader, had demanded money from the hospital in connection with a food supply contract dispute.

Dr Kamrul told the visiting delegation that after August 5, 2025, Moin had been engaged in food supply work at the hospital but was later removed over allegations of inflated pricing.

He said hospital procurement was managed through a cost-controlled system aimed at keeping treatment affordable for patients, with food costs adjusted within bed charges and purchases overseen by a committee sourcing goods at the lowest available rates.

“I do not charge separately for food for my patients. Staff also eat here. We run the hospital on a minimum margin,” the doctor said.

He said the supplier later began “overpricing goods and creating pressure” after being removed from the contract.

“I personally go to the market and monitor purchases. He then came with people and started creating trouble with staff and demanding money,” Dr Kamrul said.

BNP’s youth wing chief Munna asked whether the individual had actually introduced himself as a party leader.

Kamrul said the man had claimed to be a Jubo Dal activist and had even spoken about contesting in the local elections, adding that he had filed a general diary over the matter but no “effective” action followed.

General Secretary Nayan later said the organisation had found “no link” between the suspect and Jubo Dal.

“We have confirmed he is not part of our organisation. Such people misuse our name. We maintain zero tolerance on this,” he said.

He added that disciplinary and legal steps had previously been taken against individuals misusing party identity.

During the visit, Nayan called a Rapid Action Battalion official from his phone, requesting the arrest of Moin. Kamrul also spoke to the officer on speaker.

Later, Dr Kamrul told journalists that the hospital provides meals to patients and staff at a minimal margin, often absorbing costs into bed fees to help poor patients from rural areas.

He described how alleged overbilling, including charging Tk 9,500 for eggs worth Tk 8,100, made operations difficult.

When the hospital stopped sourcing from him, Moin allegedly demanded Tk 500,000 and began threatening staff.

He said staff members had been intimidated, with security personnel also afraid due to the presence of armed associates and repeated claims of political influence.

Dr Kamrul also said the man went to a staff member’s residence early in the morning and pressured them for money.

“The staff member who faced this pressure has been working here for 30 years and is a key member of the operating theatre team.”

He added that he had contacted police and even Army personnel, but only police responded.

“His [Moin] name was already in a general diary. But there was no move to detain him. I do not know whether police fear him,” Dr Kamrul said.

According to him, the suspect’s current demands include payment, the dismissal of the staff member who resisted him, or the reinstatement of his supply contract.

Dr Kamrul later said: “After the 5th of August [2024], he had been supplying here. At that time, he was not so aggressive. Over the past month, he suddenly became very aggressive.”

“Look, I have informed many people. I informed the local OC, the SP, a DIG, even an additional IGP. But he does not seem to listen,” he added.