Chattogram police AC, 2 ASIs withdrawn over alleged Tk 18 lakh cash, crypto extortion

An assistant commissioner (AC) and two assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) have been withdrawn over allegations that they extorted Tk 18 lakh, including cryptocurrency, from a businessman and his friend after detaining them and threatening to implicate them in a gambling case on September 4.

The withdrawn officers are AC Shariful Alam Sujon and ASI Bashir Uddin of CMP’s Law and Order Intelligence Cell, and ASI Sufian of CMP's Ration Store.

Confirming the development, CMP Commissioner Hasan Md Showkat Ali told The Daily Star, “The AC was withdrawn and attached to CMP headquarters, and the two ASIs were closed and attached to Dampara Police Lines following their alleged involvement in extorting money and cryptocurrency from a man under police custody.”

He said the case is being investigated by Deputy Commissioner (DC) (POM) Md Bodiuzzaman, who was asked to submit his findings immediately.

On the morning of September 4, plainclothes officers led by AC Shariful allegedly picked up businessman Akhtaruzzaman Shakil and his friend Mansur Ali from a house in Block K of Halishahar in Chattogram. They were taken, along with Shakil’s Toyota Corolla, to the Law and Order Intelligence Cell office.