Police in Ishwardi, Pabna, have arrested three members of an extortion gang, including its ringleader and two women, for allegedly detaining a grocery merchant, physically assaulting him, and extorting 7 lakh taka under death threats after capturing compromising photos and videos.
The arrests were made on Thursday (October 8) during a police drive at a rented house named "Momtaz Villa" in the Pearakhali Jamtoli area under Ward No. 3 of Ishwardi Pourashava.
The arrestees have been identified as the mastermind Md. Sirajul Islam alias Chanchal (47), his wife Brishti Khatun (35), and Mst. Mukti Khatun (25). Although hailing from Mohorkoya village in Lalpur Upazila of Natore district, the trio had been residing in the rented Ishwardi residence to operate criminal activities.
According to police and the case statement, the victim, Md. Amirul Islam (52), is a grocery trader from the Chattar Bazar area under Bagatipara Police Station in Natore district, who had a prior acquaintance with the suspects.
On March 26 at around 9:30 AM, accused Mukti Khatun phoned Amirul and lured him to their rented house in Pearakhali Jamtoli. As part of a premeditated plot, the suspects captured objectionable photos and videos of the victim to blackmail him, subsequently demanding 10 lakh taka in extortion. When the merchant refused to pay, the culprits severely beat him, locked him in a room, and threatened to kill him.
Left with no alternative, the victim's wife, Asma Khatun, alongside relatives, gathered 7 lakh taka in cash and handed it over to the suspects at the designated spot. The perpetrators released him around 12:00 PM that day after threatening to kill him if he disclosed the incident to anyone.
The victim later filed a regular case with Ishwardi Police Station (Case No. 17, Date: 08/10/2026) under relevant sections of the Penal Code. A police team led by Sub-Inspector (Unarmed) Md. Russel Hossain conducted a raid and apprehended the three named accused.
Confirming the matter, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ishwardi Police Station Ashadur Rahman Asad stated that the mastermind and two women were arrested for swindling 7 lakh taka from a businessman using a honeytrap maneuver. Following a written complaint, the case was filed and the arrested individuals were presented before the honorable court today.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by S M Raja, Ishwardi Correspondent, Pabna • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
