DHAKA: Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday (Feb 25) said expelled Jubo Mohila League leader Shamima Nur Papiya was arrested following the directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He said: “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was aware of the crime of Papiya. She (PM) instructed to arrest and punish her (Papiya) through proper investigation.”

Obaidul Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, made the remarks while talking to reporters after joining a programme at Setu Bhaban in the capital’s Mohakhali area.

The AL leader also said, “None will be spared if he or she commits any crime. There was no example of arresting any leader of BNP, when they were in power, although BNP men were involved in committing crimes.”

Papia and her husband Mofizur Rahman Sumon was placed on a 15-day remand in three separate cases on Monday (Feb 24). Two cases under arms and narcotics acts were filed against them with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station while another one was lodged with Bimanbandar Police Station for possessing fake currencies. 

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Saturday (Feb 22) arrested Papia and her husband Sumon from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and later raided two flats belonging to them on Sunday (Feb 23).

The two were arrested while trying to flee the country. Rab seized counterfeit notes, foreign currencies and around Tk 2.5 lakh from their possession. In addition to the fake notes and currencies, they had seven passports in their possession. Papia lured poor women of Narsingdi and forced them into sex work, said Rab.

Their accomplices, Sabbir Khandaker, 29, and Sheikh Taiyaba, 22, were also arrested from the airport.

A presidential suite at a five-star hotel in the capital had been booked in her name for 59 days and paid for. The amount paid was around Tk 81.42 lakh.

BDST: 1854 HRS, FEB 25, 2020
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