Metropolitan Magistrate Mir Ali Reza passed the order following a petition submitted by the investigation officer (IO) to show Tarique arrested in the case.

In his petition, the IO Sub-Inspector (SI) Kazi Mainul Islam mentioned that Mamun in a confessional statement on April 19 said that he, along with Kamruzzaman, Obaidul and other fugitives, extorted Tk 53 lakh from Mir Zahir Hossain, managing director of Mir Akhter Hossain Ltd, in 2004 under Tarique's shelter.

Of the total, Tarique took Tk 35 lakh. So, he needs to be shown arrested in the case, the IO said.

Mir Zahir filed the case with Dhanmondi Police Station on April 1.

According to the plaintiff, Mamun demanded the money identifying himself as a friend of Tarique Rahman while others threatened him to stop his construction business if he failed to meet their demand.

Earlier on March 28, Tarique was shown arrested in another case filed with Gulshan Police Station for extorting Tk 81 lakh from a businessman.

MAMUN CASES
Meanwhile, Tarique's close friend Mamun yesterday confessed his involvement in extortion of Tk 10.31 crore.

Khairul Bashar, managing director of Abdul Munem Ltd, filed the case with Shahbagh Police Station on April 9.

Dhanmondi police also brought Mamun on a two-day remand yesterday in connection with a case, also filed by Khairul Bashar with Dhanmondi Police Station on April 17, for extorting Tk 1.17 crore.

Heavily guarded by police, Mamun was taken to the chamber of Metropolitan Magistrate ABM Abdul Fattah at around 2:00pm. The magistrate recorded his statement for around two hours.

Mamun told the magistrate that he along with six others extorted the amount on different dates between 2001 and 2006. The six others are Obaidullah Khandaker, Qamruzzaman, Mahbub, Manik, Hablu and 'Mota' Tareq.

According to the plaintiff, Mamun used to visit his office with several goons each time.

Mamun demanded the money identifying himself as a friend of Tarique Rahman while his goons threatened him to stop his construction business if he failed to meet their demands, added the complainant.

Earlier on different dates, Mamun made confessional statements to the same magistrate in connection with four other extortion cases filed with Gulshan, Kafrul, Shahbagh and Dhanmondi police stations.

Mamun was arrested from his Banani DOHS residence on March 26. Police seized a Spain-made .22 bore pistol and eight bullets from his house.