Abdur Razzak Riyad | Photo: Collected
Just weeks before allegedly extorting Tk 5 crore from the family of a former Awami League lawmaker in Dhaka’s Gulshan area, a gang led by Abdur Razzak Riyad reportedly carried out a similar operation at the office of another ex-AL MP, Abdul Kalam Azad.
According to multiple sources familiar with the incident, Riyad and his associates stormed Azad’s office in a coordinated raid and forcibly extracted cheques totaling approximately Tk 5 crore. The gang allegedly used threats and intimidation to obtain the cheques, in what appears to be part of a wider pattern of extortion targeting former political elites.
This revelation follows the recent controversy surrounding Riyad’s gang, which was already under scrutiny for allegedly demanding Tk 5 crore from the family of another ex-Awami League MP in Gulshan, as previously reported.
Details regarding the precise date of the raid on Abdul Kalam Azad’s office remain unclear. However, sources suggest that the incident took place in early June 2025, just weeks before the Gulshan case became public. It is also alleged that Riyad’s group has made similar threats to other former lawmakers and business figures, raising concerns about a systematic extortion network operating with political overtones.
Law enforcement agencies have yet to officially confirm the incident involving Abdul Kalam Azad, but officials have acknowledged ongoing investigations into multiple complaints linked to Riyad’s name.
Legal analysts and political observers say the recurrence of such high-profile extortion incidents indicates a deeper breakdown in political accountability and law enforcement protections for former public figures, especially during the transitional political climate in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, demands are growing for a full, transparent investigation into Riyad’s network, including any potential political cover or financial motives behind these targeted raids. Public pressure continues to mount for authorities to ensure safety and justice for all victims regardless of their political background.
