Jessore 6 MP Md Shaheen Chaklader is in hot water after he was heard in a recorded conversation allegedly asking the Keshabpur police station OC to frame a lawyer through a bomb attack on the station.
An audio clip of the alleged conversation over the phone has gone viral on social media, eliciting much criticism from different quarters. Dhaka Tribune has also obtained a copy of the clip.
Sources said Shaheen, who is also the Awami League’s district unit general secretary, advised OC Md Jasim Uddin to teach lawyer Saifullah a lesson for filing a complaint about a brick kiln in Keshabpur.
He also reportedly suggested that plain-clothed police officers could bomb any brick kiln and then Saifullah could be accused in a case for trying to rob that kiln by carrying out a bomb attack.
Shaheen was also heard in that audio clip mocking the High Court order regarding the kiln.
According to sources, this conversation between Shaheen and OC Jasim over the phone took place a couple of weeks ago.
Shaheen Chakladar told the media: “As an MP, I have to talk to the OC from time to time. But we have never had the kind of conversation that has gone viral. Some quarters are promoting this tampered audio record to tarnish my reputation.”
Asked about the conversation, OC Jasim said: "I don't remember. Why are you [journalists] asking the same question again and again? I talk to the MP every day on many issues. I don’t remember everything.”
Shaheen Chaklader was elected MP in the by-election of Jessore 6 constituency on July 14, 2020. He also served as chairman of Jessore Sadar Upazila Parishad from 2009 to 2020.
Saifullah, the lawyer in question, told Dhaka Tribune that a brick kiln named Super Bricks, which is next to his house at Uttar Satbaria village under Keshabpur upazila, was polluting the area. “That’s why I organized a movement with the villagers.
“After the movement was covered by local and national newspapers, NGO Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association [Bela] filed a writ petition in the High Court in the public interest. Bela then elected me as the network member and I started joining their programs.”
Saifullah said the Keshabpur police OC had called him to the station on December 12 last year, and told him: “The MP [Shaheen] does not want you to work against the kiln. You should stay away from that. Otherwise you will be in danger.”
He said the OC also told him: “Your own life comes first; why are you involved in these? Stay away. Otherwise, Mr Chaklader will have you framed [in a false case] through me or another police station OC.”
"Afterwards, I contacted Bela chief Syeda Rizwana Hasan and local journalists from the police station around 10pm," said Saifullah. “After she made some calls, the OC escorted me home. That is all I know. Now an audio clip of their conversation is circulating. I have not listened to that yet.”
Meanwhile, Saifullah lodged a general diary (GD) with Keshabpur police station on Saturday. He mentioned in the GD that he was in fear for his life and sought legal help.
Conversation between Shaheen Chaklader and OC Md Jasim Uddin
OC: Assalam o alaikum Sir.
Shaheen Chaklader: You asleep?
OC: No sir. Didn't sleep, sir.
Shaheen Chaklader: Who is Saifullah of Satbaria?
OC: Satbaria ... There is one Saifullah there, sir. He filed cases at the Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association regarding brick kilns. He is a nuisance sir.
Shaheen Chaklader: You bomb the police station at night, then file a case in his name. Can you do that? You have to do that by being present yourself, otherwise where will you bomb? This is my last word. If you can, keep the area cool. I am a member of the Standing Committee on Forests and Environment. No one has more power than me. Then how dare he [Saifullah] go to complain again and again? What is your responsibility?
OC: He has repeatedly brought the papers from the High Court.
Shaheen Chaklader: Whatever is the High Court-Ficourt. Whatever the High Court says. Don't we have a game? No game?
OC: The High Court, sir...
Shaheen Chaklader: If you want to be an OC you have to be dynamic. Today Bagarpara OC came to see me. I'm posting him to Chougachha again. Do you know? Do you know the Bagarpara OC?
OC: Do I know him? Mr Mamun?
Shaheen Chaklader: Talk to him. I am bringing him to Chougachha. Complete the job anyhow, through anyone, by causing an accident within tomorrow.
OC: Sir, let's see sir. What happened sir? Is he disturbing you again?
Shaheen Chaklader: What will he disturb? Well, I'm in the forest and environment office. Who has the power to come here! What I'm saying is, you play a game and bring him inside [jail]. Don't understand?
OC: Sir, sir. I will see to it.
Shaheen Chaklader: Allah knows what kind of an officer you are. You cannot do any work.
OC: Ha ha ha ha sir. I do all the work, sir.
Shaheen Chaklader: You do everything, don't you? If needed plain-clothed police can go to any low-lying area and blast a bomb there. Then it can be said that the kiln was attacked to commit robbery. A case can be framed this way.
OC: Oh sir, that's it, that's it, have you seen Bela’s paper? The document from the High Court.
Shaheen Chaklader: I will see later, I am a member of the standing committee.
OC: The High Court’s paper, sir. High Court.
Shaheen Chaklader: What did the High Court paper say?
OC: A paper came from the High Court yesterday, sir.
Shaheen Chaklader: What happened?
OC: I'll show you tomorrow, sir. I'll give it to you tomorrow morning, sir. There is a clear instruction coming from the High Court that Sir . . . bricks . . . has been ordered to stop operations.
Shaheen Chaklader: I will not close any brick kiln in my area except school-college. Whoever says what, I will not.
OC: You have to at least see the paper, sir.
Shaheen Chaklader: All right, OK.
OC: Sir, I’ll show it to you.
