Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Leader Dilshad Arrested in July Smriti Foundation Embezzlement Case

Staff Correspondent

Dilshad Afrin, a member of the Narayanganj Fatullah unit of the National Citizen Committee and a leader of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, has been arrested by Ramna Police on charges of embezzling funds from the July Smriti Foundation.

There had long been allegations of embezzlement of government funds allocated for the injured and deceased members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Reports suggest a powerful group forged fake documents and used fabricated names of victims to siphon off millions of taka. It is also believed that a network of coordinators was active across the country in these operations.

Several members within the organization had accused Dilshad and a few influential leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement of being involved in the embezzlement. Following the exposure of the allegations, Dilshad Afrin was secretly expelled from the organization on April 8 to mitigate the fallout. This expulsion was confirmed in a letter signed by Akhtar Hossain, acting secretary of the National Citizen Committee.

Public anger had been brewing over the lack of action regarding the misappropriation of government funds. However, many believe that the arrest of Dilshad indicates that the National Citizen Committee has effectively acknowledged the embezzlement scandal.

Confirming the arrest, Ramna Police Station’s investigating officer, Tariqul Islam, said, “One person has been arrested in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the July Smriti Foundation. An investigation is underway.”