SP Appel Allegedly Receives Regular Payments from Brothels and Illegal Spas

ছবিঃ সংগৃহীত

News Desk:
Apple Mahmood, Superintendent of Police (Supernumerary Additional DIG) of the Tourist Police in Cox’s Bazar, has once again come under widespread discussion on social media over various allegations surrounding his activities.
There is a saying that washing coal does not remove its stain. According to many, his character resembles this proverb. Apple Mahmood once drew national attention after naming a part of Cox’s Bazar beach after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Later, he repeatedly faced criticism due to various controversies and allegations.
Recently, new allegations have surfaced claiming that despite being responsible for ensuring tourists’ safety, he has been involved in several irregular and criminal activities. It is alleged that he regularly collects monthly payments from brothels and illegal spas in the cottage zone. Each cottage or brothel reportedly pays him between 20,000 and 50,000 taka per month, and around 1.5 million taka is allegedly collected from these hubs.
Allegations of leasing beach areas without approval:
Investigations reveal that he allegedly rented out a section of the beach without approval from the Beach Management Committee or the district administration, earning large sums of money. It is also alleged that advertisements of a steel company were installed along about three kilometers of the beach from Laboni to Kolatoli Point without proper permission.
Beach allegedly rented for 3 million taka:
During a recent period when the country was busy with elections, iron poles carrying advertisements of a rod company named Zulfikar Steel were installed along the three-kilometer stretch from Laboni to Kolatoli, reportedly under the supervision of Tourist Police members.
When questioned, the police members present said the installation was being carried out under the instructions of Additional DIG Apple Mahmood. However, Cox’s Bazar Additional Magistrate (ATM) Shahidul Islam later confirmed that no such approval had been granted and that advertisements cannot be placed in the beach area without district administration permission.
Sources within the Tourist Police and the company alleged that since the district administration did not approve the project, the company paid 3 million taka to Apple Mahmood to install the advertisements. Although some poles were later removed, a site visit on March 3 reportedly still found the advertisement boards intact.
Allegations of illegally renting government facilities:
Further allegations claim that facilities built for tourists’ safety—such as watch towers, complaint centers, police boxes, and even government jet skis—were illegally rented out for profit.
One watch tower in front of Laboni Police Outpost was allegedly converted into a restaurant and rented out after taking 800,000 taka in advance. The restaurant was initially named Arnav Canteen, but after the matter became public, it was reportedly operated under the name Tourist Police Canteen.
Claims of extortion from brothels and illegal spas:
Investigations and conversations with related sources indicate that Apple Mahmood allegedly collects monthly payments from brothels and illegal spas in the cottage zone. The payments are reportedly collected through several middlemen and some locally known individuals posing as journalists. The total monthly collection from these hubs is claimed to be about 1.5 million taka.
According to sources, Apple Mahmood allegedly meets these intermediaries regularly at the Simon Heritage luxury restaurant in Cox’s Bazar, where gatherings reportedly take place in the evenings.
Rape allegation:
Another serious allegation surfaced on October 28, when police rescued a woman named Layla Pari after receiving a call on the emergency 999 hotline. In a video statement, she claimed that her husband had forced her to meet influential people in different parts of the country, including SP Apple Mahmood.
Layla alleged that about two weeks earlier she had been taken to a hotel in Kolatoli, where Apple Mahmood allegedly raped her after mixing something in her drink.
Allegations involving women entrallegation:
Reports also claim that around 15 young women, including entrepreneurs, were frequently seen visiting Apple Mahmood’s residence in Cox’s Bazar. Several women, speaking anonymously, claimed they were victims of exploitation. Some alleged they were promised apartments or marriage but were later deceived.
Drug seizure controversy:
On November 7, 2025, a Tourist Police team led by Apple Mahmood reportedly raided a residential hotel named Sugandha Hyperion Sea World after receiving information that a consignment of yaba tablets had been stored there.
Sources alleged that although around 20,000 yaba tablets were present at the site, only 200 tablets were officially shown as seized in the case. It was also claimed that the issue was settled after a payment of 1 million taka.
Apple Mahmood’s response:
When contacted about the allegations, Apple Mahmood reportedly addressed the reporter as “elder brother” and said he was surrendering to him. He allegedly requested that his career not be destroyed and promised to remove certain content from social media.
He further said that the situation arose due to a misunderstanding with journalists and asked the reporter to clarify the matter accordingly.