Sharif Mahmud Apu, Deputy Regional Director of Bangladesh Betar Chattogram Centre and former Public Relations Officer (PRO) at the home ministry, has been taken into police custody after being confined by students involved in the anti-discrimination movement.

On Thursday afternoon, agitating students confined Sharif at the Bangladesh Betar Bhaban on Agrabad Sheikh Mujib Road, accusing him of having signed the letter imposing a curfew on 4 August last year.

After being informed of the incident, a team from Double-Mooring Police Station swiftly arrived at the scene and took Sharif into custody, said Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kazi Rafiqul Islam.

A magistrate from the district administration also visited the scene after Bangladesh Betar authorities informed the Chattogram Deputy Commissioner, according to the OC.

He added that further actions will be determined after consulting higher authorities.

When asked if there is an ongoing case against Sharif, the OC said, “As far as we know, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case against him on 25 February for allegedly amassing wealth illegally.”

Apu has faced multiple allegations of irregularities and corruption while serving as the PRO during the tenure of former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. He served in that role for 10 years before being posted at the Chattogram station.