Babuli Begum, owner of the land, at a press conference in the Jatiya Press Club yesterday alleged that extortionists, hired by one Siddique Miah, were demanding Tk 50 lakh for long and they ransacked under-construction Ratan Fruits Garden on August 22 leaving supervisor of the work Rabiul Islam Rubel injured.

"I filed a case with Kotwali Police Station but none has been arrested to date and the swindlers have become more aggressive," she said.

Previously, showing counterfeit papers, Miah halted the construction work and filed a case against her in which he lost, she alleged.

Following a High Court order, she started construction of the building but the extortionists are trying to harass her in various ways, she said.

When contacted over phone, Kotwali police said they were trying to arrest the criminals.