Dhaka court grants remand for four in 83 million taka student visa fraud case
A Dhaka court on Thursday granted remand for four individuals accused of embezzling over 82 million taka from 92 students aspiring to study abroad. The suspects were associated with two consulting firms, Visa Guide and Just Thought Education Consultant, which allegedly swindled the students under the pretense of facilitating overseas education.
Metropolitan Magistrate Ariful Islam ordered five-day remands for the alleged mastermind, Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid—also known as Motiur Rahman—alongside co-accused Rabeya Khatun Tania and Saidur Rahman. A fourth suspect, Tanjir Islam, was granted a four-day remand. According to the investigation officer, Sub-Inspector Billal Bhuiyan of the Bhatara Police Station, the court proceedings followed the presentation of the primary suspects by law enforcement.
Tensions flared at the court premises as the suspects were brought in, with a group of agitated victims attempting to confront the accused while they were in police custody. Officers intervened to restore order, closing the gate of the holding cell and clearing the area to ensure the safety of both the suspects and the public. Deputy Commissioner of the DMP’s prosecution division, Mohiuddin Mahmud Sohel, confirmed that while the scene became volatile, no physical assault occurred and no attempt was made to snatch the prisoners.
In a separate development, Mashayer Rahman, a director at Visa Guide, appeared before Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Ripon Hossain. After electing to provide a voluntary confessional statement, he was subsequently remanded to prison custody.
The legal action follows a complaint filed on July 8 by a representative of the victims, Al-Amin, who named 13 individuals and several unidentified accomplices in a case at Bhatara Police Station. Investigators allege that the firms promised to secure student visas for applicants within four months but failed to fulfill the agreements. After collecting a total of 83.89 million taka, the companies reportedly stalled the students with false assurances regarding processing delays before ultimately misappropriating the funds.
Lawyers representing the victims noted that the fraud has effectively shattered the academic ambitions of dozens of students. The investigation remains ongoing, with police having arrested five suspects in connection with the case thus far.
