BNP's Shariatpur-3 candidate arrested from Dhaka hospital

BNP candidate for Shariatpur-3 constituency was arrested yesterday in connection with a case filed over the recovery of Tk 8 crore days before the 11th general election.

According to Rapid Action Battalion, the money was about to be used to influence polls as part of an evil design to deteriorate law and order situation and tilting the election in favour of a certain quarter.

Rab arrested Mia Nuruddin Apu from Dhaka's United Hospital in the afternoon, where he had been undergoing treatment, Sarwar-Bin-Quasem, commanding officer of Rab-1, told The Daily Star.

Apu will continue to receive treatment at the hospital under Rab custody until the hospital authorities release him, Sarwar said, adding that they would go for the next course of legal action after his recovery.

Apu, former assistant personal secretary to BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman, was admitted to the hospital on December 24.

He is the fourth accused in the case filed with Motijheel Police Station, Rab said.

On December 25, Rab detained three people in the capital's Motijheel and Gulshan for allegedly distributing money to influence the national election and instigate violence.

They are Joynal Abedin, general manager of Amena Enterprise, its manager Alamgir Hossain and Ali Haider, managing director of United Corporation.

The elite force also seized Tk 8 crore and several cheques, worth around Tk 10 crore, from their possession.

Speaking at a press conference in front of United Corporation in Motijheel on December 25, Rab Director General Benazir Ahmed said the three arrestees had so far distributed around Tk 150 crore in various constituencies to instigate violence and influence the December 30 parliamentary polls. The Rab chief further said, “The money came from Dubai through hundi.”

Benazir also said one of the three detainees had links with Hawa Bhaban. Hawa Bhaban was considered an alternative powerhouse of the previous BNP-led alliance government (2001-2006).