Director of the Department of Inspection and Audit (DIA) under Education Ministry Prof Kazi Kayum Shishir, also longtime elected member of Dhaka Officers' Club, alleged that he has been the victim of harassment and fabricated accusations from the club over a book launch on the biography of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Kazi Kayum, who had planned the event honouring BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, found himself not only banned from the Officers' Club but also entangled in a false extortion case.
"This is a clear attempt to suppress me," Shishir told the media on Sunday. "I had simply tried to organize a legitimate event. I was hit with a fake case," he added.
The trouble began when Shishir, an elected member of the Officers' Club, attempted to hold a book launch at the club. Despite submitting the necessary paperwork and fees, the event was abruptly cancelled by ABM Abdus Sattar, a retired Joint Secretary and self-proclaimed leader of the club's temporary management committee. Sattar had taken over the club in August, following a shift in the political landscape.
"He [Sattar] didn't provide any valid reason for the cancellation. Instead, he issued me a show-cause notice," Shishir explained. "I challenged him legally and took the matter to court. But then, the real harassment began."
Shortly after the dispute over the book launch, a fabricated extortion case was filed against Shishir. The complaint alleged that Shishir had demanded Tk 500,000 from an individual to facilitate the book launch. However, investigations revealed the complainant's identity was entirely fake with bogus name, address, phone number, and National ID (NID). "Everything about the case was false, including the person who filed it," Kazi Kayum said.
Despite the mounting pressure, Shishir has refused to back down. "This is an orchestrated effort to humiliate me. But I will fight against this injustice," he said.
In response to the extortion case, the Dhaka Metropolitan Court has issued a show-cause notice to Sattar, questioning the legality of his actions. Several prominent figures, including members of BNP and civil society, have spoken out in Shishir's defence, condemning the misuse of power and authority by Sattar and his associates.
"The aim of the false case was to have me arrested and, as a result, get me suspended from my current position. However, the conspirators' plan failed due to the swift intervention of the Home Adviser," Professor Kayum stated.
"After I met the Adviser at his residence and submitted an application, action was promptly taken to prevent the wrongful arrest," he said.
