Evaly chairman, CEO arrested; taken to Rab headquarters

Rab has arrested e-commerce platform Evaly's Chairman Shamima Nasrin and CEO, Managing Director Mohammad Rassel this afternoon from their Mohammadpur residence.

The arrests came hours after customers filed a case against the couple and some unidentified persons for embezzling money.

Lt Col Mohammad Khairul Islam, director of Rab's Intelligence wing, told The Daily Star that they arrested the couple as they were accused in a case.

Rab members took both Rassel and Shamima out of their Mohammadpur home around 5:20pm. They were taken to the Rab headquarters.

Khandaker Al Moin, Rab's legal and media wing director, said they took the couple to Rab headquarters following the raid at their house.

"They are being interrogated," he told reporters at his office.

Different government agencies are working on the issue and will surely make arrangements so that customers can get their money back or get the products ordered, he said, replying to a query. 

Rab will hold a press briefing in this regard tomorrow morning.

Read More: Consumer sues Evaly chairman, CEO over embezzling money

Meanwhile, hearing news of the Rab drive, many Evaly customers and vendors thronged the building in Mohammadpur.

One of them, who ordered products worth Tk 16 lakh, told reporters that he started placing orders with Evaly since January this year.

"Initially, I got several products but they stopped delivering in last three-four months. When I went to their office, or enquired about the products online, they always sought more time," he said.

 "We have lost everything," he said, adding that the government should have taken steps much earlier.

Some, however, said that the authorities should give Evaly some time, so that the organisation can continue business operations and give customers refunds or deliver products gradually.

"How can we get the money back if the top officials are behind bars?" -- said another customer.  

The man ordered products worth Tk 11 lakh and now fears that he will not get his money back.

Another customer, Mohammad Al Amin, said, "Evaly wanted six months from the government. I think the government should give them the time."

"What is the benefit of arresting them? If we [customers] can give them time, why not the authorities?" -- he said.