Rangpur BNP Leader Issued Show Cause Notice Over Alleged Extortion from Mosque Staff
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A local leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Kaunia, Rangpur, has been issued a show-cause notice following allegations that he solicited bribes from mosque officials under the guise of securing government allowances.
Saidul Islam, the general secretary of Ward 8 BNP in Haragach Pourashava, was formally notified by party leadership on Friday night. The notice, signed by Haragach Pourashava BNP President Monaem Hossain and General Secretary Nurul Amin, demands a written explanation within three days regarding why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for damaging the party’s reputation.
The controversy centers on the Mollatari Jame Mosque, where the Imam, the Muezzin, and a caretaker were reportedly targeted. According to Nur Amin, the mosque’s Muezzin, Islam initially demanded 34,000 taka to include their names on a government allowance beneficiary list, later reducing the figure to 30,000 taka. The victims reportedly paid 15,000 taka upfront, with the remainder promised later. However, after the transaction was exposed, Islam allegedly returned the funds.
The allegations gained traction after an audio recording of a telephone conversation concerning the transaction circulated widely on social media.
In response, Saidul Islam has denied the accusations, dismissing the claims as the product of political vendetta and asserting that he never received any money.
Haragach Pourashava BNP General Secretary Nurul Amin confirmed the issuance of the show-cause notice on Saturday. He stated that using one’s political affiliation to extort money under the pretext of government benefits is a serious offense. According to Amin, local BNP leaders conducted an internal investigation upon hearing the audio recording, and the initial findings prompted the decision to seek a formal explanation from Islam.
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