Rouf is also general secretary of district bus owners association and chairman of Alipur Union Parishad (UP) in Sadar upazila.

Osman Faruk, son of former UP member late Abdul Mazed of Alipur village, filed the case with the Sadar thana under Sections 420,406, 385 and 506 BPC (Bangladesh Penal Code).

In the case, Osman Faruk alleged that Rouf has been cultivating shrimp on 461 bighas of land including his 37 bighas for long. He also stated in the complaint that he has a land dispute with Rouf and a case in this regard is pending with the district judge's court.

Taking advantage of the case, Rouf stopped payment of the lease money of Tk 17,14, 000 for his lands since 1993, Osman alleged.

It was decided at a local arbitration that Rouf would give him the lease money, but he did not pay, according to the FIR.

Rather, Rouf, being a leader of the then ruling party, demanded toll from him whenever he went to him for the lease money, Osman alleged.

When contacted, Osman said he filed the case failing to realise the lease money. There was no alternative to filing case as Abdur Rouf is on run since promulgation of emergency, Osman claimed.

When contacted over cell phone, Abdur Rouf denied the allegation and said it is a conspiracy to tarnish his image. The land case is yet to be disposed of by the court, he said.

He also said he is not hiding to evade arrest.

Sadar thana Officer-in-Charge Shafiqur Rahman confirmed filing of the case and said accused Rouf is absconding since declaration of emergency.

Abdur Rouf was also arrested during the 'operation clean heart' in 2005, launched by the army to net alleged criminals and godfathers of terrorists. He was released after detention of about three months, police sources said.