The accused BNP leader is Siful Islam, president of the party's Pirganj upazila unit, sources said.

In the case filed on Sunday by Mithapukur forest officials, it was stated that Noor Mohammad Mondol illegally occupied about 5.8 acres of forestland and Saiful Islam and his men another 10 acres.

Cutting a large number of trees, Mondol dug a big pond in Kaderabad forestland in Mithapukur Range and built a hatchery there.

Deputy Ranger of Mithapukur Forest Range, SM Kaikobad, alleged that Noor Mohammad and his men grabbed about 60 acres of forestland.

In the FIR, it was stated that the lands were grabbed 10 years ago but legal action could not be taken as Noor Mohammad was the lawmaker from the area (Rangpur-6 constituency), he said.

Siful Islam and his men grabbed the land in the name of playground styled 'Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Stadium.'

Earlier, a forest official was stand-released as he filed a case against Saiful in 2003, Kaikobas said.

Kaikobad said, "Instead of taking action against Saiful and other accused, the local administration influenced high-ups to punish the official."

An official of Mithapukur Forest Range on condition of anonymity told this correspondent that miscreants allegedly sheltered by the lawmaker and the BNP leader took away trees from Kadirabad forest during daytime but police could not take any action.

When asked, Noor Mohammad said, he has not grabbed any forest land. The lands claimed by the forest department could be on the banks of his pond, he said.

Saiful could not be contacted despite repeated attempts over cell phone. Some sources said he is absconding for about one month to avoid arrest.