Nilphamari Correspondent

A huge stir has been created in the Jaldhaka area of Nilphamari over allegations of fraud involving a cheque of Tk 450,000 by using blank cheques and signatures on stamps. The incident is being discussed and criticized across the area.

The complainant, S. M. Jalal Uddin (54), father-deceased Abdar Rahman, village-Gabrol, Dakghar-Rath Bazar, Upazila-Jaldhaka, district-Nilphamari, told the media that Peyari Begum, a reserved female member of Wards 1, 2 and 3 of Kaimari Union Parishad, gave the road work of a Kabikha project to Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mia (56), father-deceased Bahar Uddin, Sang-Shaulmari, Dakghar-Kaimari for about four lakh taka. He signed the deed of the work as a witness. He claimed that after the work, Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mia received 3 lakh 20 thousand taka and owed another 80 thousand taka.

Later, when Peyari Begum was financially insolvent and could not pay the remaining money, pressure was put on her because she was a witness. Jalal Uddin said that at one stage, Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mia took her to Anwar Hossain's computer shop located in front of the Union Parishad in Kaimari Bazar. There, a blank check and a blank stamp were taken to sign, promising to arrange a loan of one lakh taka. He said that although he agreed to the proposal to settle the debt of eighty thousand taka, he later found out that the signature was taken without giving him any money. He alleged that after taking the signature, Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mia left with the blank check and stamp. Later, when he asked Anwar Hossain for the money, he said that no check or stamp was submitted to him. He claimed that he had been cheated. The complainant further said that after a few days, the manager of Jaldhaka Sonali Bank called him and informed him that a check case had been filed against him and a report had been sought on the court's orders.

Later, after contacting the lawyers, he came to know that a case of 4 lakh 50 thousand taka had been filed against him. The number is C.R. 35/26. He also claimed that the matter is currently under investigation. Meanwhile, on Thursday night, an arbitration meeting was held at the Jaldhaka Al-Fallah Jamaat office.

The statements of both sides were heard in the meeting. At one stage of the discussion, a proposal was made to settle the dispute by paying Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mia 175,000 taka on the condition of submitting a settlement letter to the court. The complainant claims that Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mia agreed to the proposal and left the meeting on Sunday, saying that the matter would be finalized. But when contacted on Sunday, June 7, he changed his previous position and said that he would not make any settlement unless he was paid 450,000 taka. Since then, the incident has created a huge stir in the area.

Although attempts were made to get Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mia's statement on this matter, he could not be reached. On the other hand, when the media tried to contact Anwar Hossain on his mobile phone several times, his phone was switched off. As a result, it was not possible to get his statement on the complaint. The locals demand that the matter be investigated impartially to uncover the true facts and take legal action against those responsible.