The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is raiding the offices and homes of reported casino kingpin and now expelled Jubo League leader Ismail Hossain Samrat.
The elite police unit entered his office at Dhaka's Kakrail a little after 1:30 pm along with Samrat after arresting him along with his accomplice Arman from Cumilla on Sunday (Oct 6).
Two separate RAB battalions started raiding his homes at Shantinagar and Mohakhali DOHS in Dhaka from 2:30 pm.
Confirming the raid at Samrat’s Shantinagar residence, RAB-3 chief Shafiullah Bulbul said that it’s being led by Executive Magistrate Kamruzzaman.
Meanwhile, RAB-2 chief Ashique Billah said that they were raiding his Mohakhali DOHS residence on “specific allegations.”
Earlier on Sunday afternoon RAB Director General Benazir Ahmed told the media that Samrat had been in hiding ever since the crackdown began on Sept 18.
“Samrat’s name popped up in the casino raids and he has been detained for allegations of involvement in casino operation,” he said.
He added that his accomplice Armaan was also involved with the illegal gambling facilities, and RAB was trying to arrest more people who are directly related to the business.
Meanwhile, Jubo League expelled both Armaan and Samrat for allegedly breaching party discipline and conducting unethical practices.
Samrat had been under the law enforcers’ radar since the countrywide crackdown on casinos began. On September 24, the Police Headquarters issued a travel ban against him.
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.
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