JHALOKATI, March 31 (V7N) — The plaintiff in a shop‑burning case in Jhalakathi has alleged that he is being threatened by the accused to withdraw his complaint.

Barek Khandaker, a disabled grocery shop owner from Baroigati area of Sadar Upazila, filed a case after his shop in Taltola Bazar was set ablaze on February 6. He claimed the attackers poured petrol and kerosene into the shop, intending to kill him, and destroyed goods worth about Tk 9 lakh.

On March 9, Rustom Khandaker lodged the complaint in the court of the Senior Judicial Magistrate, naming A. Matin Howlader (45), Alamgir Talukder (48), A. Jalil Sheikh (44), and Monir Hossain (40) as accused. Since then, Barek alleged, the defendants have repeatedly threatened him to withdraw the case.

Barek said the accused pressured him to falsely implicate local BNP leaders before the election, promising to rebuild his shop if he complied. “They burned my shop and asked me to file a case in the name of BNP people. But those leaders swore at Nesarabad shrine that they were not involved. Why should I file a false case?” he asked. He further alleged that one of the accused, A.S. Jalil Sheikh, had been implicated in previous arson incidents investigated by CID.

Denying the allegations, A. Matin Howlader said, “I have no involvement in this incident. A false case has been filed against me. The plaintiff is harassing me at the instigation of my enemies.”

Imtiaz Ahmed, Officer‑in‑Charge of Jhalakathi Sadar Police Station, confirmed that the court has directed police to investigate. “We will submit a report after investigation. We are not aware of any threats to the plaintiff, but will speak to him and take necessary legal action,” he said.

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