UP Member in Raiganj, Sirajganj, Allegedly Beaten for Refusing Tk 50,000 Extortion Demand by BNP Leader Tota; Video Spreads

In Raiganj, Sirajganj, a Union Parishad member has allegedly been beaten and threatened for refusing to pay Tk 50,000 in extortion from a project bill, in an allegation against BNP leader Sirajul Islam Tota. A video of the incident has spread on social media.

The incident took place on Monday (26 October) at around 3:45 pm in the chairman's room of Sonakhara Union Parishad in the upazila, according to the complaint. The union's Ward 4 member, Sarwar Hossain Akanda (51), later filed a written complaint with the police station over the incident.

The accused, Sirajul Islam Tota (56), is senior vice-president of Raiganj Thana Sramik Dal and a former joint general secretary of Sonakhara Union BNP. He is the son of Osman Ali of Srirampur village in the union.

The complaint says UP member Sarwar Hossain built a culvert under a development assistance project in the 2025-26 fiscal year with an allocation of Tk 165,000. According to the complaint, Tota demanded Tk 50,000 from the project bill.

When he refused to pay, Tota allegedly went to the chairman's room of the Union Parishad on Monday afternoon and abused Sarwar, the complaint says. At one stage the two argued over the demand. The complaint further says Tota, angered, punched and indiscriminately hit Sarwar. Sarwar was rescued with the help of local people, but was then pushed out of the parishad by the neck.

The victim, UP member Sarwar Hossain Akanda, said he completed the culvert construction spending his own money. He alleges the project bill has been held up because he did not pay the Tk 50,000. He claimed the parishad secretary has prepared the cheque, but has been told not to hand it over until the money is paid. Sarwar demanded a proper trial of the incident.

Sirajul Islam Tota, however, denied the extortion allegation. He said local BNP leaders have taken responsibility for settling the incident that took place with the UP member at the Union Parishad, and the matter will be resolved.

Sonakhara Union Parishad panel chairman Abdul Jabbar said the incident happened in front of him. He described the matter as regrettable.

Raiganj police station officer-in-charge Ahsanulzzaman confirmed receiving the complaint and said action would be taken under the law if the allegation is found true. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdul Khalek Patwary said the Union Parishad incident would be investigated and necessary action taken quickly.