Tk2.25 crore in cheques found at house of ex-SAD leader Razzak

Police have seized four cheques worth Tk2.25 crore at the residence of Abdur Razzak Riyad, 23, who is an expelled central committee member of the Democratic Students’ Council.

He was also a member of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (ADSM).

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) disclosed the latest information during a press briefing today (30 July).

Officials said that another case will be filed in connection with the cheque recovery.

Riyad and three others were arrested on 26 July for allegedly attempting to extort Tk50 lakh from the house of a former Awami League lawmaker in Dhaka's Gulshan.

They are currently in police custody on a seven-day remand.

The arrests stem from an incident on 26 July at the residence of a former Awami League lawmaker in Gulshan, where five individuals were detained for allegedly attempting to extort Tk50 lakh.

Police said the group, led by Riyad, had earlier visited the residence and allegedly collected Tk10 lakh from the family. A video of the incident later went viral on social media.

Those arrested include Ibrahim Hossain Munna, Dhaka Metropolitan Convener of Students Against Discrimination (SAD); its members Md Sakadaun Siam and Sadman Sadab and Riyad, a central committee member of the Democratic Student Council.

The following day, the accused were produced before a Dhaka court, which granted a 10-day remand for each of them. 

They were linked to last year’s uprising against the Awami League government. Upon hearing their arrest, the student organisations expelled all the four members.

On Sunday, during the remand hearing, Additional Public Prosecutor Md Shamsuddoha Sumon said, "These are not ordinary criminals. Since August 5 of last year, this group has been making lists of homes belonging to Awami League leaders in Dhanmondi, Gulshan, and Banani and extorting money… We need to know who else is involved in these activities and in which locations."

Following the arrests, SAD expelled three of its members — Munna, Siam, and Sadab — for violating organisational discipline.

The accused were also assaulted by an angry mob outside the courtroom during their remand hearing, in violation of court security protocols.