Jamaat Leader Shuts Down Chinese Restaurant After Being Asked to Pay Five Month’s Worth of Outstanding Bills for Group Meals on Credit

Local correspondent

A local Jamaat leader has been accused of locking a mini Chinese restaurant in Raipur, Laxmipur, after demanding Tk 20,000 for food dues. The establishment has been closed for the past three days after the incident. The restaurant owner has alleged that the raw materials inside have rotted and he has suffered extreme financial losses.

Accused Syed Zahed Izzuddin Taher Jabir Al Madani is a Jamaat-nominated chairman candidate in the Uttar Char Ababil Union Parishad elections and the Khatib of Haiderganj Bazar Big Mosque. On the other hand, the victim Shahadat Hossain is the owner of ‘Ghora Food and Kebab Ghar’ in Haiderganj Bazar of the upazila.

The victim businessman gave details of the incident to reporters on Thursday evening, October 29. Earlier, on Wednesday, October 28, he filed a written complaint with Raipur Police Station regarding the incident.

In the written complaint, Shahadat Hossain said that the accused Zahed used to eat at his restaurant at different times. Sometimes alone and sometimes he would bring guests. Most of the time, because of eating in the restaurant, he had accumulated a debt of 20,000 taka from the restaurant about 5 months ago. Since he had not paid this money for a long time, the restaurant authorities started demanding it.

The businessman claims that on October 27, Jamaat leader Zahed came to the restaurant with 12 to 13 people. At that time, he became extremely angry when he demanded the outstanding money and created a tense situation. At one point, the restaurant was locked and the employees were forcibly evicted.

The owners also claimed that part of the entire incident was captured on the restaurant’s CCTV camera.

Restaurant employee Robin said that on the morning of the incident, Zahed brought people and locked the kitchen. Later that night, he also locked the main door of the restaurant and threw them out.

The affected businessman Shahadat Hossain said, “He got angry and threatened me in various ways when I asked for the outstanding 20,000 taka. My establishment has been closed for three consecutive days. The raw materials inside the shop are rotting and spoiling, and my daily income has also stopped. I want justice for this injustice.”

Meanwhile, Jamaat leader Syed Zahed Izzuddin Taher Jabir Al Madani has denied all the allegations against him.

He claimed, ‘I did not lock the restaurant. Shahadat himself locked his restaurant and is now spreading false propaganda and allegations against me. He will not get any money from me, rather I will get money from him.’

However, when the reporter was informed that there was CCTV footage of the incident, he could not give a proper answer on the matter.

Mr., a member of the Haiderganj Bazar Committee, said that he had heard about the money transaction or balance between Zahed and Shahadat. Perhaps this was the reason for the shop being locked. However, he did not know the details of the incident.

Confirming the incident, Raipur Police Station ASI Nirmal Tripura said that after receiving a written complaint in this regard, the incident site was immediately inspected. Both parties have been called to the police station tomorrow, Saturday, October 31, to resolve the matter and take legal action.