A fresh graduate of Government Shah Sultan College, abducted by criminals impersonating Rapid Action Battalion officers in Bogura Sadar early yesterday, was released in Narsingdhi's Madhabdi upazila last night.
Ferdaus Sarkar, 25, was picked up from a rented apartment around 2:00am yesterday. The incident garnered attention after a video, where three men wearing Rab jackets were beating Ferdous indiscriminately and dragging him away, went viral on social media (Facebook).
Upon information from his flatmates, Ferdaus's family tried to locate him but failed.
They received a demand for a ransom of Tk 7 lakh via his WhatsApp number around 6:30am, following which his wife, Mahbuba Begum, filed a case with Bogura Sadar Police Station later in the morning.
According to the case documents, Tk 2.75 lakh of the demanded ransom was transacted in phases through mobile financial services bKash and Nagad.
Once the law enforcers ascertained the location of transaction, which was in Narayanganj, police arrested two women who were allegedly there to receive the money.
Following the arrest, kidnappers released the victim in Narsingdhi's Madhabdi upazila last evening, demanding the release of the two women in exchange.
Ferdaus was rescued by locals and journalists. He is being brought to Bogura Sadar Police Station, said its officer-in-charge, SM Moin Uddin, adding that the arrestees are also being brought to the station.
According to Ferdaus, his abductors had blindfolded him, and thus he was unable to identify where he was confined.
"They tortured me physically before and after the abduction. They were impersonating Rab officials and had been after me for the past three months. That's what I came to know," said Ferdaus.
Lt Commander M Abul Hashem Sabuj, company commander of Bogura Rab 12, denied any Rab involvement in the crime.
"Members of a fraud gang are responsible for this incident. Along with the police, we are also working to arrest gang members," he said.
source: The Daily Star