Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat, Dhaka South Awami Jubo League president with his close confidant Armanul Haq Arman alias Casino Arman.
The elite force arrested them from Cumilla's Choudoogram on Sunday (Oct 6), Colonel Tofail Mostafa Sarwar, Additional Director General of RAB, told Bangla Tribune.
The involvement of Jubo League leaders in overseeing illicit gambling operations came to light after the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) uncovered illegal casino business in raids on Young Men's Club, Wanderers Club and Muktijoddha Krira Chakra on Sept 18.
After arresting some casino owners, law enforcing agencies were looking for Samrat as he had been recognised as the kingpin of the illegal casino business in the capital.
Samrat had reportedly been holed up in his Kakrail office since Sept 18, the day Dhaka South Jubo League Organising Secretary Khaled Mahmud Bhuiyan was arrested for his links with running a gambling den at a club in Fakirerpool.
Following Khaled’s arrest, the elite force nabbed Kalabagan Krira Chakra President and Krishak League leader Shafiqul Alam Firoz.
Two days later, Jubo League leader and businessman GK Shamim, was arrested for money laundering, illegal possession of arms, and narcotics.
Raids by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police later on the Mohammedan Sporting Club, Dilkhusha Sporting Club, Victoria Sporting Club and Arambagh Sporting Club also uncovered similar gambling operations.
On Thursday (Sept 27), RAB arrested Mohammedan’s Director-in-Charge Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan and charged him with money laundering over his proceedings from the decades-old club.
He has been banned from leaving the country, according to the police.
Meanwhile, rumours have been rife since Friday that Samrat, the alleged kingpin of Dhaka casinos, could be arrested any time.
Since September 18, RAB and police have raided different clubs across Bangladesh, busting illegal casinos. A number of people, including Jubo League leaders, were detained and then showed arrested after the raids.
Also read:
Is Samrat the real casino king of Dhaka?
Jubo League’s Samrat barred from flying abroad
