Controversy has erupted over the political identity of Robiul Islam, who was arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act in Chaugachha upazila, amid allegations that a section of local BNP leaders attempted to pass him off as a party activist to secure his release and subsequently framed the police chief upon failure.

Robiul Islam, son of the late Keramat Ali of Charavarita village in Narayanpur Union, was arrested by Chaugachha Police on October 1 at around 11:15 PM during an ongoing anti-terrorism drive. According to police, he was produced before the court following verification of intelligence regarding his political history and activities.

However, conflicting records have surfaced regarding his political affiliation. A document dated November 15, 2013, bearing the signature of former Chaugachha Upazila Awami League General Secretary S.M. Habibur Rahman, identifies Robiul as a member of the No. 10 Narayanpur Union Awami League committee. Furthermore, in court documents from a 2018 land dispute case in Jashore, Robiul formally declared himself an active Awami League member while characterizing his opponents as Jammat-BNP affiliates. Local residents have also accused him of involvement in a past bomb attack near Mostafa's poultry farm in Bajekhanpur during the Awami League tenure.

Police sources stated that Robiul was detained based on these historical records and verified intelligence. Following his arrest, a section of local BNP leaders reportedly attempted to secure his release from police custody by presenting a letterhead signed by Narayanpur Union BNP President Tarikul Islam Dablu, claiming Robiul was a BNP worker. Confirming the shift, Dablu stated that while Robiul was on the 2013 Awami League committee until its dissolution in 2018, he had been involved with the BNP since.

After police forwarded Robiul to court, his son Alamin filed a written complaint with the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Khulna Range, accusing Chaugachha Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mamunur Rashid and the raiding team of demanding a Tk 5 lakh bribe.

A section of local BNP leaders and police supporters refuted the bribery allegations, asserting that a vested group fabricated the charges to defame OC Mamunur Rashid after failing to secure the release of an Awami League operative through political leverage. They noted that the OC’s strict stance against drug trafficking, smuggling, and extortion had angered local influential circles.

Local BNP figures—including Narayanpur Union Jubo Dal member Azizul Islam, Union BNP member Selim Reza, Chaugachha Upazila BNP Joint General Secretary Shariful Islam, and Jashore District Shramik Dal Vice President Mohidul Islam—expressed indignation over the situation. They alleged that following the political transition on August 5, 2024, opportunistic elements within the party have been granting political patronage to former Awami League operatives in exchange for money, threatening organizational discipline and sidelining dedicated party loyalists.

Efforts to contact Robiul's son Alamin via telephone for comment were unsuccessful as he did not answer calls.