Chittagong Metropolitan Kotwali thana unit BNP President Manjur Rahman Chowdhury on Friday came up with an explanation over the recovery of a car of S Alam’s group from the parking lot of his house in Chittagong.
The BNP leader claimed that he has no involvement in this matter.
In a statement sent to the media on Friday afternoon, he noted: “Following this, various newspapers linked my name to this incident. Although my name was associated with the published news, I have no involvement in this matter.”
The BNP leader further said: "While it has been reported as my home, I transferred my ancestral property to the developer of Sanmar Company in 2003. Currently, this building houses 24 apartments and various commercial establishments. Four of these apartments belong to our family, and the rest have been sold by Sanmar Group.”
“I reside in apartment 4-B. There are parking allocations for all 24 apartments. I do not own a personal vehicle, so I am not aware of which vehicles are parked or by whom. However, various print, online, and electronic media outlets have wrongly associated me with this case on September 5, tarnishing my political and social reputation."
He added: "Law enforcement recovered the car on Wednesday night. Although I was at home then, Kotwali police did not communicate with me about the recovery or who they collected the keys from. The parking spot where the car was found is not owned by me. Unfortunately, I was blamed, and the news was reported in various media outlets."
"The law enforcement filed a GD that night after recovering the car at Kotwali station, and from what I have learned through various media, there is no mention of my name or involvement. It seems that a vested interest group has deliberately tried to malign me. Sheikh Hasina's associates are spreading propaganda as part of a deep conspiracy to sabotage the fruits of this student movement. I urge the media and law enforcement to act responsibly in this matter."
This BNP leader further mentioned: "Due to false news linking me, when I went to Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong on Thursday with my wife to perform Umrah, law enforcement obstructed me. They asked me a few questions, to which I provided appropriate responses. Later, I was advised not to leave the country, and I suspended my journey for Umrah. Though, I had deposited money for the Hajj with Al Muntazin Hajj Group on August 13."
The disruption was linked to a controversial business group, the S Alam Group. Authorities had earlier seized a vehicle belonging to the S Alam Group from the parking area of a multi-story building where Chowdhury resides.
The vehicle, registered as Chittagong Metro Gh-11-5344, was found parked at the building’s premises.
The registration indicates ownership by S Alam's Sonali Logistics, with the address listed as Asadganj S Alam Building in Chittagong.
In addition to the seized vehicle, two other cars were also found at the residence but were removed before police arrival.
