The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) yesterday arrested Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) ward councillor of Mohammadpur, Habibur Rahman Mizan, from Sreemangal, while he was trying to flee the country because of the ongoing crackdown on casinos. Later, members of RAB raided his Lalmatia office and Mohammadpur residence. They found nothing at the Lalmatia office, but unearthed cheques of different bank accounts worth of Tk 6 crore 77 lakhs, fixed deposit receipt (FDR) worth Tk one crore, around Tk 2 lakhs in cash, and a pistol with four bullets at his home. It was also discovered that the councilor owns a house in Texas, USA.
Executive Magistrate Sarwoer Alam conducted the drives and made the announcement to the media following the raid at Mizan’s residence. Two cases will be filed against him under the Arms and Money Laundering Act, Sarwar said.
The councillor was present during the raid at his house located on Aurangazeb Road in the capital.
RAB (legal and media wing) senior assistant director Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan confirmed the development and told The Independent that councillor Mizan was detained as part of the ongoing anti-corruption drive. He was trying to flee to India through the Sreemangal border.
The RAB official said he was arrested on the basis of specific allegations of his involvement in illegal casino business.
Sources in RAB, on condition of anonymity, said Mizan was accused in a case filed on charges of stealing, attempted murder and murder. He was known as Pagla Mizan before his alleged involvement in running an illegal casino business came to light. It was known
that he was involved in tender manipulation,
extortion, illegal land occupation and illegal electricity and gas businesses at Bihari camp in Mohammadpur of the capital.
He incited residents of Bihari camp to clash with police recently, claimed the RAB source.
Councillor Habibur Rahman, despite these allegations, was in public. He went into hiding when RAB started investigating the allegations against him. Being tipped off, members of RAB picked him up from border area of Sreemangal Upazila of Moulvibazar yesterday early in the morning.
Some DNCC official said the councillor Mizan used to steal manhole covers after assuming office.
Gambling operations came to light after the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) uncovered illegal casino business in raids on the Young Men’s Club, Wanderers’ Club and Muktijoddha Krira Chakra on September 18.
Casino kingpins Islam Hossain Chowdhury Samrat were arrested during the raids on last sunday.
RAB arrested Khaled Mahmud Bhuiyan, organising secretary of the Juba League’s Dhaka South unit, the same day before nabbing Kalabagan Krira Chakra president and Krishak League leader Shafiqul Alam Firoz. Two days later, law enforcers arrested contractor GM Shamim, who had identified himself as a Juba League leader.
Raids by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police later on the Mohammedan Sporting Club, Dilkhusha Sporting Club, Victoria Sporting Club and Arambagh Sporting Club also uncovered similar gambling operations.
On Thursday (Sept 27), RAB arrested Mohammedan’s director-in-charge Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan and charged him with money laundering over his proceedings from the decades-old club.
0 Comments