DB arrests ATN Bangla journalist on charges of extortion

Pabna correspondent of ATN Bangla, Mobarak Biswas_11zon

The Detective Branch (DB) has arrested Mobarak Biswas, the Pabna correspondent for ATN Bangla, on charges of extortion.

He was arrested from his home in Radhanagar Maidan Para of Pabna municipality on Friday afternoon, said Abdus Salam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Pabna Sadar Police Station.

Mobarak Biswas, who also works for Dainik Khabar Patro, has five pending cases against him, including charges of extortion, drug-related offenses, fraud, and assault. He is accused in a total of six cases.

According to the complaint, on February 22, Mobarak Biswas demanded a large sum of money from Tofazul Biswas, the owner of Tamanna Enterprise in Komarpur, Pabna, threatening to publish negative news about him. When Tofazul refused to pay, Mobarak allegedly threatened to kill him, brandishing a weapon.

Journalists in Pabna have distanced themselves from Mobarak Biswas due to his controversial activities. He has been accused of numerous offenses, including forcibly removing his brother from his house, seizing land, attacking a friend's business, and being involved in drug dealings.

On August 5, he was beaten by students and the public for opposing a student movement against discrimination.

He has been accused of colluding with various leaders of the Awami League, but in a surprising turn, has been extorting money by pretending to be a supporter of the BNP. - UNB