Allegation of harassment in a false case over office vandalism in Chatmohar

Photo: CNI

Pabna Correspondent: In the Mulgram Neach Bazar area of Chatmohar upazila in Pabna, a man named Sohel Rana has been accused of harassing ordinary citizens, including his two brothers, by filing a false case of office vandalism.

On Thursday, May 8, Sohel Rana filed the case at Pabna Senior Judicial Magistrate Amli Court-04. The case number is CR 269/2025 (Chatmohar). The case names 13 individuals and lists another 7–8 as unidentified accused.

The accused include Sohel Rana’s own brothers Shamim Hossain Ranga and Rimal Hossain, sons of the late Harunur Rashid of Mulgram; Rimal’s wife Azeda Khatun; his son Masum Hossain Biplob; Tarek Hossain Ullas, son of the late Hasinur Rahman from Doyrampur; Surman Ali, son of Rowshan Ali from Mulgram; Helal Uddin, son of Intaj Ali from Bhabanipur; Akhtar Hossain and his son Ramzan Ali from Vellabari; Alam Ali, son of the late Abu Taleb from Katli; Nayon Ali, son of Amod Ali; and Hazrat Ali, son of the late Solok Pramanik from Shibpur, and Almas Ali, son of Alimuddin from Panchuria.

Among the accused, Ranga is the former president of Ward No. 4 Jubo Dal in Mulgram Union, and Hazrat Ali is the former assistant secretary for local government affairs in the upazila BNP. The rest are BNP activists and supporters.

According to the complaint, Sohel Rana had rented out a shop in Mulgram Neach Bazar under the name of “Arafat Rahman Koko Memorial Club” for BNP activities. On the night of April 25, around 9 PM, while discussing a land deal with a few people, the accused allegedly attacked Sohel and his group with weapons due to prior disputes. They reportedly vandalized furniture and tore down banners featuring Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman. Sohel Rana claimed damages of around 400,000 BDT.

However, on-site investigations on Sunday, May 11, showed no signs of vandalism. The office banner, furniture, and other materials were intact, except for some chairs being slightly tilted. Local businesspeople confirmed there was no incident of attack or destruction. Some locals alleged that Sohel Rana staged the scene after hearing about an upcoming investigation.

Locals also mentioned that Sohel Rana and his elder brother Ranga are involved in a property dispute. Ranga had filled a pond and built a market, and Sohel, after returning from abroad, claimed two prime-position shops on the north side. When Ranga offered him shops on the south side instead, tensions escalated. Sohel allegedly set up the “Koko Memorial Club” overnight in one of the northern shops and displayed banners with images of top BNP leaders.

After a recent conflict between the two brothers, Sohel filed the case on May 8.

Hazrat Ali, accused number 12 and former BNP local government affairs assistant secretary, stated that Sohel filed a false case despite no vandalism occurring. He added that Sohel had tilted some chairs himself to stage the scene.

Another accused, Surman Ali, said that the dispute is strictly between the brothers. He pointed out video evidence of their public argument on April 25. Sohel, he said, is using BNP's name for personal gain, despite never having been involved in the party before.

When asked, Sohel Rana claimed that his brother, nephew, and their associates physically assaulted him and his family on April 25. He said they were hospitalized and that the local police initially promised a settlement, which didn’t happen, prompting him to file a case. However, he could not explain why there was no visible damage to the office.

He also claimed that the office was set up after discussions with local BNP ward leaders, and that he had rented it out accordingly.

Chatmohar Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Monjurul Alam stated that he was unaware of the incident, and no complaint was filed with the police. If the court orders an investigation, it will look into the matter.