BNP leader Sohel Rana has been accused of taking money from half a hundred people on the promise of getting VGD cards, water pumps and government houses in Bhangura upazila of Pabna. After not getting the money back and realizing the fraud, the angry victims arrested him and handed him over to the police after beating him up. The victims have filed a written complaint at the police station.
This sensational incident happened on Friday (June 5) night. Accused Sohel Rana is a resident of Rangalia village of Parvhangura union of Bhangura upazila and vice-president of BNP ward number 3.
According to the victims, Sohel Rana collected various amounts of money from many people of Rangalia, Patulipara, Bheramara, Parvhangura and Bhangura Bazar areas of the upazila in a few months by promising to get government facilities. However, after a long period of time, the promised benefits are not received, leading to suspicion and resentment.
The victim, Sohail Ahmed, said, “Tk 6,000 was taken from me on the promise of giving me a government rice card. Even after a year, the leader has not given me any card.”
Hotel worker Taijal Hossain said, “The government took 50,000 rupees from me on the promise of providing a house. There is also proof of payment. But, so far, I have not received any house.”
The victims claim that various sums of money have been taken from more than half a hundred people in this way. In most cases, even after seven to eight months, no government benefits have been received. In this situation, some victims arrested Sohail Rana at Bhangura bus stand area on Friday night. Later he was beaten and handed over to the police station.
Sohail Rana was not available for comment on the complaint. However, his wife Shikha Khatun said, “My husband is a cheater, everyone knows. Still, why did people pay? Since they are beating, the money is paid.”
In this regard, Bhangura Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sakyul Azam said, “The victims have filed a written complaint with the police station alleging fraud in the name of providing government facilities. The matter is being investigated. Also, as the upazila administration is involved, they have also been advised to file a complaint. Necessary legal action will be taken based on evidence.”
When attention was drawn to this matter, Bhangura Upazila BNP member secretary Zafar Iqbal Hirok said, “I have heard such complaints against Sohail Rana before. He has taken money from people. He has already been banned from carrying out activities with our party. Organizational measures will be taken soon.”
