Two cops suspended over ‘ransom demand’ in Dinajpur

Two policemen of Bochaganj Police Station have been suspended on charge of abducting two youths and demanding Tk3 lakh in ransom for their release in Dinajpur.
One of the victims, Sakhawat Ali, 32, filed a written complaint with Bochaganj Police Station over the incident.
According to the complaint, Sakhawat and Shakib Islam, 27, were having tea at a shop in the Motijapur area on the evening of 22 September when Bochaganj Police Station ASI Arif and Constable Alamgir, along with two unidentified men, allegedly picked them up, identifying themselves as members of the Detective Branch (DB) of police.
They allegedly took the two youths to an abandoned brick kiln south of Pritibazar, searched them and found a gambling app on Shakib's mobile phone. The cops then allegedly threatened them and demanded Tk3 lakh, warning that they would be killed or made to disappear if the money was not paid.
The complaint also alleges that the policemen took two mobile phones from the youths.
Later, Shakib was allegedly allowed to go home to arrange Tk1.3 lakh, while Sakhawat was handcuffed and taken to the Madhabpur area through Jogesh intersection by unidentified persons.
According to the complaint, Sakhawat's family sent Tk50,000 through bKash and another Tk50,000 through Nagad to his mobile phone. An additional Tk30,000 was allegedly sent in cash through a shop in the Pulhat area.
Bochaganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mizanur Rahman said a verbal complaint had earlier been received against ASI Arif and Constable Alamgir.
“Based on the complaint, a special report was submitted. They have been temporarily suspended and attached to the Dinajpur Police Lines,” he said.