Police have arrested Tahrima Jannat, a controversial figure known as a “July warrior” from the 2024 anti-government movement, on allegations of blackmail, manipulating legal cases for profit, and fraud.
She was taken into custody late Wednesday night from her residence in the Tekpara area of Tongi, Gazipur.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mehedi Hasan of Tongi East Police Station confirmed the arrest, stating that an organised fraud syndicate recently extorted approximately Tk2.5 crore from a businessman in Gulshan by threatening him with involvement in cases related to the July movement.
Earlier, another female coordinator, Fariha Akter Toma, was arrested for extorting a businessman for Tk10 lakh. She came to light for hurling abuse at BNP leader and freedom fighter Fazlur Rahman.
Several hundred other student coordinators, mainly linked to Yunus’ brainchild, the National Citizen Party (NCP), have been arrested since last year on extortion charges. However, the interim government has not taken any action against the allegations of corruption by the advisers and their personal assistants. On the other hand, the July mobsters have been granted indemnity for killings, arson, and looting.
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Preliminary investigations revealed that Tahrima, who gained viral fame on social media, was leading the syndicate.
Further probes indicate that the group allegedly collected around Tk50 crore from various victims through blackmail and extortion.
Tahrima Jannat, a 21-year-old student at Bhawal Badre Alam Government College in Gazipur, rose to prominence through viral videos, controversial activities, and targeted live sessions on social media during the July-August 2024 uprising, where she positioned herself as a coordinator.
She was seen wearing uniforms of various schools on different occasions and talking to the media.
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According to the allegations, the syndicate threatened the businessman with being named in multiple murder cases linked to incidents in Gulshan and Badda during last year’s movement. They reportedly demanded and collected money in phases by threatening to make him an accused, subject him to police harassment and arrest, and later offering to “settle” the matters.
Police sources added that Surabhi allegedly used her viral notoriety to build connections with influential individuals before intimidating them to extract money. Operations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the group.
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