Now MP Papul sued in Bangladesh over human trafficking

Independent lawmaker from Lakshmipur-2 constituency Md Shahid Islam alias Kazi Papul and his three associates have been sued over human trafficking charges in Bangladesh.

Currently the lawmaker is staying in Kuwait central prison and facing the investigation of public prosecution department of Kuwait.

A case has been filed against Papul and his associates with Motijheel police station in Dhaka on Tuesday night. 

The associates were identified as Abdur Rashed, 54, Rezaul Karim, 45, and Monir, 33. 

Meanwhile, Kuwait's Ministry of Interior on Thursday said Bangladeshi lawmaker Kazi Papul is not a Kuwaiti citizen. 

The ministry stated this in its tweet, a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the Lakshmipur-2 constituency would be announced vacant if it is found that Papul secured Kuwaiti citizenship.

The ministry also confirmed the matter through a press statement. Pointing at that it was circulated in some social media that Papul obtained Kuwaiti citizenship the ministry said this information is false. The ministry also called on all media and social media to be accurate in what they publish, reported Arab Times.

The ministry stated that doors are open round the clock to respond to any inquiries related to security. 

The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh said, "It is an important issue that has manifestations of corruption and is now under the authority of the Public Prosecution."

The CID of Bangladesh Police started an official investigation into the human trafficking allegations against Kazi Papul on July 6. 

Mohammad Alim, one of Kazi Papul's trafficking victims, filed the case with Motijheel police station, said Jahidul Islam, assistant commissioner of the DMP's Motijheel zone. 

Alim, hailing from Nagaon Sadar upazila, was deported from Kuwait to Bangladesh on June 16, after MP Papul had been arrested there over human trafficking and money laundering charges.

Alim told The Business Standard that he went to Kuwait in July 2018 through Papul's agency in Dhaka's Paltan area. 

"I was a farmer in Nagaon. Papul's men came to me and convinced me to go aboard. They took Tk700,000 from me. Many others also gave the company huge amount of money," Alim said.

Alim and others were told that they would be paid 120 Kuwaiti dinars (around Tk33,000) per month and daily working hours will be not more than eight hours. 

However, the reality was different as Alim and many others had to work 16 hours a day as cleaners and they were paid only 100 Kuwaiti dinars per month.

Later, they were shifted as cleaners for an airport where their salaries decreased to 80 Kuwaiti dinars per month.

"But suddenly Kuwait police arrested Papul and they approached us. They told us that the company was illegal and we will be sent back to Bangladesh," Alim said.  

Later, Alim and 10 other expatriate were sent back to Bangladesh empty-handed without any compensation.

Alim said Bangladeshi CID has quizzed them over the issue recently and asked them to file a case against Papul. 

CID Deputy Inspector General for organized crime Imtiaz Ahmed said they would thoroughly investigate the case.

"We have already talked with the deported migrants and will also enquire all of them who were involved in the racket," he added. 

There are four named and over 10 unidentified accused in the case. Most of the accused are staying in Bangladesh. The CID is investigating the matter and will take actions against the accused accordingly, said Imtiaz. 

Kazi Papul is also managing director and chief executive officer of Marafie Kuwaitia Group. He was arrested by Kuwaiti CID on June 6 this year over human trafficking, money laundering and bribing charges. 

Meanwhile, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has termed the charges of international crimes and corruption such as human trafficking and money laundering against a lawmaker as a disrespectful example of criminalisation in Bangladesh's politics and public representation.