‘Bomb police station, frame lawyer’

Jeshore-6 MP Shaheen Chaklader

Jeshore-6 MP Shaheen Chaklader is facing criticisms after a leaked phone conversation revealed that he asked a police officer to bomb a police station and frame a lawyer for it.

The conversation between Shaheen and Jashim Uddin, officer-in-charge of Keshabpur Police Station reportedly happened a couple of weeks ago.

The lawmaker, also general secretary of Jashore Awami League, was heard asking Jashim to bomb the police station and file a case accusing environmental activist Saifullah.

Saifullah who worked closely with Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), recently filed a writ petition with the High Court against an illegal brick kiln called "M/S Super Bricks" in Keshabpur, which apparently irked the lawmaker.

The Daily Star has obtained a copy of the leaked phone conversation but could not identify the source of the audio clip.

In the clip, the MP called and asked the OC if he knew Saifullah of Satbaria. In reply, the OC said, "Saifullah went to BELA and filed a case against the brick kiln.

"Bad boy, Sir," the OC was heard saying.

Then the MP said, "You bomb the police station at night now. After that you will have to file a case accusing him. Can you? When you are here, you have to do these things … . What I am saying is the last word. … I am a member of the standing committee on forests and environment. There is no one to show power. So why does he [Saifullah] go again and again, what do you do?"

Then the OC said, "He [Saifullah] repeatedly brought the papers of the High Court, Sir."

Then the MP said, "Hey, what is the High Court? Whatever the court is, don't we have our own game?"

The MP is then heard giving the OC an option to bomb a brick kiln.

"If needed, send policemen in plainclothes to any brick kiln and detonate a bomb there saying that the attack was done for robbery. It was that person … ."

The OC said, "There is a clear instruction from the High Court to close the Super Bricks, Sir."

The MP replied, "I will not close any brick kilns in my area." He added that he would rather close a school or college. "Whoever gives the direction, I will not [do it]… ."

Talking to The Daily Star yesterday evening, Keshabpur OC Jashim Uddin said, "I can't recall the specific conversation. I talk to the MP for different reasons at different times. I can't remember everything."

Asked whether he had listened to the audio clip. He replied, "Yes".

This correspondent wanted to know whether it was their conversation. The OC said, "Why are you asking me the same thing over and over again? I gave my statement."

MP Shaheen did not answer his phone or respond to texts.

Talking to the other media outlets, he claimed that the audio clip was tampered with.

Saifullah said that he filed a writ petition in the High Court seeking eviction of the brick kiln.

"The MP got angry. I saw the news about the instructions given to the OC. Later I made a general diary (GD) with the police station. Right now I am in fear. The OC told me to be careful and not go anywhere alone."

BELA Executive Director Syeda Rizwana Hasan told The Daily Star, "It is a brick kiln that does not have a licence and does not have the DoE clearance.

"Those who suffer are the owners of date orchards. Jashore's date orchards are famous … . Unlicensed brick kilns are functioning in the areas. As a lawmaker, without taking a stand against it, he takes a stand against those who are speaking on behalf of the victims. It is not acceptable … . The conversation he had to frame the victims cannot be made in the civilized world.

"It is these MPs who insult such a prestigious position. There should be an investigation into this incident. We do not need such a Member of Parliament. What law will he make? How can the rule of law be established in the country by keeping such MPs in parliament?" she said.