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The officer-in-charge (OC) and two sub-inspectors (SIs) of Kalabagan Police Station in the capital were temporarily suspended on Sunday for their alleged involvement in vandalism and extortion through conducting an illegal raid at the dead of night.
They accused SIs identified themselves as the Detective Branch (DB) officials and demanded money from educationist and columnist Abdul Wadud after entering his house at Sonargaon Road on April 29. Afterwards, he filed a complaint to the DMP commissioner over the incident.
Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Ramna Division Masud Alam said following the complaint, OC of Kalabagan Police Station Moktaruzzaman and SIs Belal and Mannan were temporarily suspended.
"The DMP Headquarters formed a probe committee based on the complaint. Initially, the OC and two SIs were withdrawn and attached to Ramna Division. Later, all three of them were temporarily suspended. Further measures will be taken based on the probe committee's report."
"OC Moktaruzzaman handed over the charge and left, as he was removed," Inspector (Investigation) of Kalabagan Police Station Rafiqul Islam said.
According to Abdul Wadud's complaint, a police team, led by SI Belal and 15-20 criminals, stormed into his house on April 29 night.
"During the incident, my building manager called '999', and one team of police arrived at the scene. Soon, two patrol teams of Shahbag and New Market police stations reached the main road adjacent to my house. My manager saw the Kalabagan OC asking the patrol teams to go away," said the victim.
He complained that the Kalabagan OC ordered his tenant, sexagenarian Lal Mia, and night guard Lutfor to be taken into a police vehicle.
"A police team, led by SI Belal, entered my house and tried to break down the doors. They broke one door, and while they were trying to break the second one, I called the Kalabagan OC over mobile, seeking his help. He asked me to cooperate with 'the DB police' and come out of my house with them."
He said without having any options, he started getting prepared to go to the police station with them. The moment he opened the door, SI Belal and SI Mannan shoved him inside the room.
"They (police and criminals) ransacked the house looking for something. After a while, SI Mannan took me to a corner and said I wouldn't have to go to the police station, if I give them Tk 10 million."
"When asked what case was filed against me, they said there was no case, but they came only for money. If I didn't pay, cases would be filed against me," he added.
After negotiation, Wadud gave Tk 200,000 to Belal and Mannan.
"They made me pledge to pay the rest within the banking hours, and left three plainclothes people to guard me. Before leaving, SI Belal forcefully made a video statement of me, saying my house had not been damaged."
The victim also alleged that police took away his computer, laptop, and CCTV camera hard-disk. The Kalabagan OC supervised the six-hour-long illegal raid, standing on the road beside the house. The OC returned the laptop on May 1, but yet to return his other belongings.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com