Acting Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Jahangir Alam of Lalanagar under Rangunia upazila filed the case accusing Chowdhury and his four close associates of extortion.

The other accused included absconding incumbent UP Chairman Rafiqul Islam, Didarul Islam, Mohammad Sahabuddin and Mohammed Mohiuddin.

According to first information report of the case, the accused Rafiqul, along with his cadres, allegedly intercepted the then UP members Jahangir Alam and Mohammed Masud in front of Rangunia High School on March 15, 2006, and demanded tolls.

They even threatened to close their business firms otherwise.

Before snatching Tk 5,000 and a cellular phone set, the accused told the UP members that they were doing everything as per directives of Chowdhury, according to the plaintiff.

The complainant mentioned that he could not file any case fearing dire consequences, sources said.

Earlier, on February 16 another former UP member Mohammad Raza Miah filed a case with the same police station accusing nine including SQ Chowdhury.

In the case, Raza Miah alleged that the eight accused with direct and indirect instructions from prime accused Chowdhury had demanded Tk 1 lakh as toll from him on May 30, 2004.

The accused swooped on him and his family members and injured them as he refused to pay the amount.

They also ransacked his house and a neighbouring shop and took away 15 tolas of ornaments, Tk 20,000 and a few valuables before leaving the scene, alleged the plaintiff.