RAB arrests contractor GK Shamim, seven bodyguards

The Rapid Action Battalion has arrested SM Golam Kibria Shamim, who has made a fortune as a contractor and identifies himself as a Jubo League leader, in a raid on his business in Dhaka’s Niketon.

It also arrested his seven bodyguards, seized about Tk 20 million in cash, Tk 1.75 billion worth of fixed-deposit receipt or FDR savings, alcohol and firearms during the raid on Friday.

It came two days after a RAB unit arrested Jubo League leader Khaled Mahmud Bhuiyan, who was expelled, for running an illegal casino inside the Young Men’s Club in Fakirapool.

The RAB team surrounded GK Shamim’s business around noon and conducted the operation until 4:30pm, RAB Additional Director General Tofayel Mustafa Sorwar said.

The Rapid Action Battalion seizes about Tk 20 million in cash, Tk 1.75 billion worth of savings, alcohol and firearms in a Friday raid on the business owned by GK Shamim, who identified himself as a Jubo League leader. Photo: Abdullah Al Momin

A large portion of the FDR savings documents found in Shamim’s office were registered under his mother’s name and in different banks, RAB Executive Magistrate Sarwoer Alam told reporters after the raid.

In addition, $9,000 and S$752 have been confiscated during the raid, he said.

"We’ve altogether seized eight firearms. The weapons appear to be licensed, but we’ve found evidence of their illegal use.”

The RAB raids the business owned by GK Shamim, who identified himself as a Jubo League leader, in Dhaka’s Niketan on Friday. Photo: Abdullah Al Momin

Shamim is known as an influential contractor in the neighbourhoods of Sabujbagh, Basabo and Motijheel. He has made headlines for his influence over the Public Works Department to secure contracts.

Once a Jubo Dal member, Shamim joined the Jubo League and identified himself as the cooperative affairs secretary of the organisation’s central committee, according to the local media.

Shamim, son of Afsar Uddin Master from Narayanganj, lived in Banani DOHS and used the establishment No. 144 at Road 5 in Niketan as the address for his firm, GKB & Company.

Shamim’s cousin Mohiuddin Litu claimed the firm has at least 22 construction projects with a total allocation of around Tk 60 billion, including in RAB headquarters, Secretariat and several hospitals. 

His aide Didarul Islam claimed the money was entirely legal and would be used for day-to-day cash transactions.

Jubo League Chairman Omar Faruk Chowdhury, however, denied Shamim’s links to the organisation.

“Let me make it clear - there is no leader going by the name of GK Shamim or Golam Kibria Shamim in Jubo League,” he told bdnews24.com.