Police detain 5 over extortion charge

SAD suspends all units, except central body

FE REPORT | Published: July 27, 2025 23:26:12

Police have detained five individuals -- all identified as leaders of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) -- on a charge of extortion after they allegedly demanded Tk 5.0 million (Tk 50 lakh) from former reserved-seat lawmaker Shammi Ahmed at her Gulshan residence in the capital.
Meanwhile, in a decisive move aimed at restructuring its operations, SAD has announced the suspension of all its sub-committees across the country, retaining only the central body.
An official of Gulshan Police Station said that they were detained from a flat on Road No. 83 in Gulshan on Saturday evening.
He said that of the detainees, one is Riyad, a leader of the Dhaka city unit of the SAD.
Riyad and his associates first visited Shammi Ahmed's residence on July 17, 2025 and demanded Tk 5.0 million. Out of the money, they were given Tk 1.0 million on that day and they again visited Shammi's residence on Saturday for the rest amount. The accused were arrested at the scene during their second visit.
Meanwhile, a case was filed on Sunday against the five leaders of the SAD on charge of demanding Tk 5.0 million (Tk 50 lakh) toll from the ex-female lawmaker.
The accused are Ibrahim Hossain Munna, convener of the Dhaka city unit of the SAD; members of the platform Md Sakadaun and Sadab; its Dhaka city unit senior organiser Abdur Razzak Bin Sulaiman alias Riyad; and central sports cell member and Aminul Islam.
UNB report adds: Rifat Rashid, president of SAD's central committee, made the announcement to suspend committees across the country, except for the central committee at a press conference held at Shahbagh in the capital on Sunday afternoon.
As per the organisational structure, he said, all activities of the Students Against Discrimination's committees across the country, except for the central committee, are suspended. "From now on, if anyone engages in misconduct under the name of the movement, legal action will be taken against him or her," he added.
Rashid alleged that the defeated forces are trying to misuse the platform to defame the anti-discrimination banner. "Those involved in unethical acts must face the law and urge law enforcement agencies to take necessary action," he added. Further decisions on the structure and operations of the movement would be announced soon, he said.
Meanwhile, in a Facebook post, former SAD leader Umama Fatima lashed out at the "culture of impunity" plaguing the organisation as its five leaders were arrested on extortion charges in the capitals' Gulshan.
The SAD expelled Ibrahim Hossain Munna, convener of its Dhaka city unit, along with members Sakadoun Siam and Sadman Sadab, citing their involvement in activities that were deemed harmful to the organisation's principles.
talhabinhahib@yahoo.com