‘Minimum Tk2 lakh’: Krishak Dal leader showcaused for ‘demanding money’ from AL activist accused in murder case

A leader of Krishak Dal, the farmers’ wing of BNP, in Lakhsmipur, has allegedly demanded Tk2 lakh from a Swechasebak League leader as extortion money to drop the latter’s name from the list of accused in a murder case.

A call recording of a reported conversation between the two politicians has gone viral on social media platform Facebook, drawing severe criticism from netizens.

The Krishak Dal leader has been identified as Jasim Chowdhury, member secretary of the BNP wing’s Bamani union unit in Raipur upazila. 

In the viral audio recording, he can be heard asking for extortion money from Jahir Uddin Liton, agriculture secretary of Raipur Swechasebak League, the volunteer unit of Awami League.

“We have sent a show cause notice to Jasim over the incident,” Kawsar Mollah, convener of Raipur Upazila Krishak Dal, confirmed to The Business Standard.

“He has been given two days to answer. We will take action in this regard from the organisation in light of the circumstances,” he said.

In the viral 3:37-minute recording, Jasim is heard telling Jahir over the phone that a local BNP leader has made him accused in a “murder and arms” case.  

“Sobuj Bhuiyan filed the murder and arms case as the plaintiff. But leaders from Lakhsmipur [city unit] will deal with the whole matter and provide backup. The case has been filed. The main accused is Salah Uddin Tipu. You are the 28th. But don’t worry. I have specially mentioned your name. He [plaintiff] said any less wouldn’t do,” Jasim is heard saying. 

“While he has told me it is 2.5, the lowest he will go is 2. That is the final word. There is no other way open for you,” he is also heard saying.

At one point, he is heard recommending Jahir to sell his land to clear his name from the list of accused.

“Sell some of your lands. You are my brother. Settle this with the money from the land sale. You have till 8:00am.”

However, speaking to The Business Standard, Jasim has refuted the allegations against him, saying, “I did not ask for extortion money from Liton. That audio recording is edited. I have informed party leaders about it.”

He confirmed receiving the show cause notice and said he would respond to it. 

Swechasebak League leader Liton, on the other hand, claimed the audio recording was not fake and that Jasim indeed demanded Tk2 lakh as extortion money.  

“I didn’t commit any crime. Jasim called me and demanded Tk2 lakh from me on the pretext of clearing my name from a murder and arms case. He even said I should give him the money even if I have to sell my land for it.”