MP Accused of Extortion; Home Vandalized After Allegation

A political dispute has erupted in Bangladesh, with a Chhatra Dal leader accusing a member of parliament of demanding a substantial sum of money for an alleged escort service. Abdul Gaffar claims that Hannan Masud, a parliament member from Noakhali-6 (Hatia) and senior joint chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), sought Tk 3 crore to facilitate an Awami League leader's trip to the airport.

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My own house gets attacked, and I can barely manage to tackle those situations. Why would I go and attack someone else's house? This is a staged drama designed to demean me. Let them try and see what they can accomplish.

Following Gaffar's accusation, his family home in Paschim Boro Deil village was reportedly attacked and vandalized. Gaffar alleges that followers of Masud carried out the assault. Chhatra Dal activists organized a protest procession demanding swift justice for the perpetrators.

Hannan Masud has vehemently denied all allegations, dismissing them as a "staged drama" intended to tarnish his reputation. He questioned why he would attack someone else's home when his own faces challenges. Masud also refuted the claim about demanding money for escorting an Awami League leader.

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During the July Uprising, I was the one who kept Hannan Masud safe. I used to manage everything, from editing and posting all their videos. I am the one who established him in Hatia's politics.

Gaffar, who identifies himself as a political guardian to Masud, stated he possesses knowledge of Masud's "secrets" and opposed the Tk 3 crore demand for escorting former MP Mohammad Ekramul Karim Chowdhury. He claims to have informed other political figures about the alleged demand. Riaz Mahmud, convener of Hatia upazila Chhatra Dal, corroborated Gaffar's account, stating that Masud's followers had been threatening Gaffar prior to the alleged vandalism.

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Acting as his political guardian, I stayed with him for a month and a half after August 5 [2024]. As a result, I know a lot of his secrets. After August 5, he planned to escort Mohammad Ekramul Karim Chowdhury, the former MP of the Noakhali-4 (Sadar-Subarnachar) constituency and former general secretary of the district Awami League, to the airport. He demanded Tk three crore for this. I opposed it at the time.