Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) has arrested seven individuals on charges of attempting to extort Tk 5 lakh from a renowned kidney specialist in Dhaka’s Shyamoli area.

The arrestees include Moinuddin, 42, who has been identified as a Jubo Dal activist, his associate Liton, Suman, Md Falan Mia, 42, Md. Rubel, 42, Md. Swapon Kazi, 36, and Md Shaon Hossain, 25.

In a message, the Rab media wing said the suspects were arrested from different areas. Further details were not immediately disclosed.

The incident follows allegations made by Dr Kamrul Islam, who runs the Centre for Kidney Diseases & Urology (CKDU) Hospital in the capital.

On April 11, he alleged that a man identifying himself as a Jubo Dal activist attempted to extort Tk 5 lakh from him, interfered with hospital operations, and threatened staff members.

According to the physician, Moinuddin had been trying to exert influence at the establishment for a long period, claiming political affiliation

He said the individual recently became “highly aggressive”.

“He wants to forcibly take over the hospital’s food supply contract and has been creating obstacles after I refused,” Dr Kamrul said.

Dr Kamrul alleged that on April 10, Moinuddin entered the residence of a senior hospital staff member and demanded Tk 5 lakh. The staff member reportedly locked himself inside a room out of fear.

Later, Moinuddin allegedly arrived at the hospital with 60 to 70 people, creating chaos and attempting to extort money through intimidation.

The physician also claimed that police present at the scene did not take action.

“Even though the police arrived, they took no initiative to apprehend or remove him. They seemed quite terrified,” he said.

The situation later calmed following the intervention of central BNP leaders.

Dr Kamrul said Jubo Dal General Secretary Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayan and central President Abdul Monayem Munna visited the hospital that night and assured him that Moinuddin did not belong to their organisation.