In Abhoynagar, Jessore, a businessman named Shahnawaz Kabir, alias Tipu, was allegedly held at gunpoint, buried up to his chest in sand, and extorted for four crore taka in multiple phases. The accusations have been leveled against Asaduzzaman Joni, a suspended organizational secretary of Noapara Poura BNP, and Mofiz Uddin, the general secretary of Noapara Press Club. The victim’s wife, Asma Khatun, filed a written complaint at Rajghat Army Camp on July 31, 2025.According to the complaint, on September 2 of the previous year, an individual named Saikat Hossain, alias Hira, lured Shahnawaz Kabir to Asaduzzaman Joni’s private office. There, Joni allegedly assaulted him and held him at gunpoint, demanding two crore taka. Asma Khatun transferred two crore taka to Joni’s business account via South Bangla Bank, after which the businessman was released.
Asma further alleged that on September 18 of the same year, while Shahnawaz was traveling to Noapara Bazar from Chalishia on a motorcycle, Saikat Hossain intercepted him. His phone remained unreachable until 3 PM, and it was later discovered that he had been taken to Joni’s Kana Ecopark. There, Joni, Samrat Hossain, and Mofiz Uddin allegedly assaulted him at gunpoint, buried him up to his chest in sand, and demanded another two crore taka. Under duress, Shahnawaz instructed his manager to transfer 68 lakh taka from Pubali Bank and 32 lakh taka from South Bangla Bank to Mofiz’s account. Additionally, Mofiz allegedly collected a cheque for one crore taka and threatened to kill him if he spoke about the incident.
Asma Khatun stated, “My husband has fled the area out of fear. We are living in extreme insecurity. Our business is nearly shut down, and we are left with only a house on four decimals of land. We cannot even afford our son and daughter-in-law’s education expenses. I demand justice.”
Attempts to contact Asaduzzaman Joni were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off. Mofiz Uddin, when reached, said, “I am not the Mofiz you are looking for,” before disconnecting the call.
Abdul Alim, the Officer-in-Charge of Abhoynagar Police Station, told Prothom Alo, “We have not received a written complaint yet, but we are investigating based on the verbal complaint.”
Asma Khatun expressed frustration, noting that three days after filing the complaint at the army camp, no one had contacted her, and despite informing the police verbally, no progress has been made.
