Police officer Abu Taher is facing a series of grave allegations involving political appointments, power abuse, and case-and-arrest extortion during the reign of the Awami League government. Reports indicate that while serving in Faridpur district in 2022 and 2023, he extorted crores of taka by harassing and torturing leaders and activists of opposition parties, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.
Influence and Political Connections: According to local sources and collected information, this officer used to identify himself as a close relative of former Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal (Lotus Kamal). His biological uncle served as the Baghmara Union Parishad Chairman in Lalmai under the Awami League rule. Leveraging this influential political circle, he secured a posting as District Intelligence Officer (DIO-1) in Maulvibazar in 2020–2021. Later, he served as the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Alfadanga Police Station in Faridpur from October 14, 2022, to November 18, 2023.
Arrest Extortion and Harassment in Alfadanga: During his tenure in Alfadanga, serious allegations surfaced that he executed Awami League agendas and systematically targeted opposition activists. Victims alleged that police conducted regular raids on their homes to spread fear across the area.
It is alleged that he amassed large sums of money by threatening opposition leaders with arrest. Describing his ordeal, Imran Hossain, Member Secretary of Alfadanga Pourashava Jubo Dal, said: "Police unlawfully abducted me from my home, took me to the station, and severely beat me. Later, I was made the prime accused in a fabricated cocktail explosion case. Exploiting that single case, former OC Abu Taher extorted nearly Tk 2 to 3 crore from Alfadanga." He further alleged, "I was threatened with a direct crossfire. To save my life, Tk 6.25 lakh was tactfully taken from my father through Sub-Inspector Binoy. I demand exemplary and maximum punishment for these corrupt and tyrannical police officers."
Echoing similar concerns, Basharul Bari, Convener of Alfadanga Upazila Sechchasebak Dal, stated: "OC Abu Taher himself exploded cocktail bombs and then filed false and phantom explosive cases against BNP and affiliate leaders. He framed about 42 people in that phantom explosive case. He then engaged in crore-taka extortion using the panic of arrest. Due to his oppression, we could not sleep at home for months."
In 2023, after arresting the highest number of opposition activists at Alfadanga Police Station, he was awarded "Best Officer-in-Charge (OC)" in Faridpur district—a move that sparked severe local backlash.
Retention Post-Power Shift & New Syndicate in Feni: Currently, this police officer is serving as the OC of Chhagalnaiya Police Station in Feni district. Allegations suggest that this beneficiary of the Awami League regime maintained his posting through massive financial transactions.
Meanwhile, local law and order has severely deteriorated since his arrival at Chhagalnaiya Police Station. Cattle theft, robbery, and drug smuggling have steadily increased. Reports indicate that contraband items, including Yaba, are entering Bangladesh through the Chhagalnaiya border with India.
Tension and public resentment are mounting over how an officer identified as an accomplice of the former regime and accused of extortion continues to hold his position following the shift in power. Conscious citizens argue that an impartial investigation into such controversial officials is imperative under the current administrative landscape.
When contacted over phone, OC Abu Taher stated, "Wherever I worked, I tried my best to stand by the people; I made no mistake." When pressed about the fake explosive cases, he admitted, "Yes, many cases were filed there." However, when asked about the extortion racket and other allegations, he declined to comment further and disconnected the call.
Addressing the issue, Feni District Superintendent of Police (SP) Protyush Kumar Majumder stated that if the allegations against Chhagalnaiya Police Station OC Mohammad Abu Taher are proven true upon investigation, departmental action will be taken against him.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Md. Fakhrul Islam, Feni Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
