RAB nab three with Tk 85m in cash

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) caught three people red-handed with Tk 85 million in cash from Motijheel in the city on Tuesday for their alleged involvement in distributing the money to 'manipulate' the election.

The arrested were identified as managing director of United Corporation Ali Haider, its office manager Alamgir Hossain and proprietor of United Enterprise Zainal Abedin.

RAB director general Benajir Ahmed told newsmen that the three persons were arrested with Tk 85 million in cash and a cheque for Tk 100 million from an office housed at City Centre in the city's Motijheel area.

He said the elite force was following a big team, involved in illegal money transfer ahead of the polls, for last two days and started their operation from early Tuesday.

The arrested persons transacted Tk 1.4 billion through bank accounts of United Corporation, United Enterprise and Gulshan-based Amena Enterprise in last two months, he added.

The RAB DG also claimed that the offices were shifted to City Centre two months back which were earlier located beside an office of a big political party.

But he didn't disclose the name of the political party.

The sum of money was distributed to different candidates or persons linked with a specific political party to manipulate the 11th parliamentary election.

He also claimed that clashes, which took place in several districts, might be an outcome of disbursement of the money in such areas.

He stated that Shariatpur-3 constituency witnessed election violence on Monday when Tk 36 million was sent to a candidate -- Nuruddin Opu -- on the same day from United Corporation.

Tk 730 million was transacted through accounts of Mahmudul Hasan, owner of United Corporation, in last two months, the RAB chief said.

The money was sent from Dubai (UAE) through hundi (an illegal money transferring system). RAB had been able to foil a major plot centring over the upcoming polls slated for December 30, he said.

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