ASI Abdul Motaleb, the Putijuri Union beat officer under Bahubal Model Police Station in Habiganj, has been closed to Habiganj Police Lines after a call recording alleging a demand for money using the UNO’s name went viral on social media. Bahubal Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ruhul Amin Talukdar said higher police authorities took the action on Monday night. The recording caused widespread concern in the area.

Locals said Motaleb went to Mirerpara in Putijuri Union on the afternoon of Friday, August 1, but returned after finding no one involved in sand extraction. The report said a journalist, posing under a false identity, later called him. Motaleb allegedly proposed meeting directly to “resolve” the matter.

When the caller said a direct meeting was not possible, Motaleb allegedly asked for money to be sent through bKash and urged a meeting the following day to settle the issue. Contacted by phone, Motaleb said a journalist had called him but that he did not know the caller. Asked what the bKash payment was for, he said he did not know.