Fraud in the name of unregistered cooperative in Narail - Allegations against Astha Sangstha

In Narail, allegations have been made against the director of the organization Swapan Roy and his associates for operating an unregistered cooperative society under the guise of an organization called ‘Astha Sangstha’, providing loans at high interest rates, and collecting forcibly signed checks from customers, including various irregularities.

Locals allege that the organization has been operating under the name ‘Unnayan Dhara Samabaya Samity’ for a long time but does not have any valid registration, which has eluded the administration’s attention so far.

Victim’s complaint

Tariqul Islam, former president of the Van-Rickshaw Workers Union of Bhavakhali village, said that on December 31, 2023, he saved 10,000 taka and took a loan of 1 lakh taka on the condition of 2,600 taka weekly installments and 100 taka weekly savings at 15 percent interest.

When he asked for a loan again after the loan period, the manager Sudhangshu took his passbook. Then on November 20, 2024, Tariqul’s wife was called to the Kurigram office and asked for two pages of signed checks as a guarantee. When he protested after learning about the matter, director Swapan Roy informed him that he would not get the loan if he did not submit the check. He reluctantly submitted the check due to an urgent need.

Later, when he got the passbook back, he saw that the interest rate was not 15 percent, but 24 percent, and the term was not 12 months, but only 9 months.

When he objected to this, he was assured of correction, but it was not done. If he stopped paying the installment, the collector Shyamal threatened him with a check dishonor case.

Tarikul said, “I am in danger now—extra interest, pressure, and fear of lawsuits. Where can I get justice?”

When he went to the office, he found ambiguity

When he went to the office of the Kurigram Astha Sangstha and spoke to field worker Shyamal, he said that Swapan Roy first sought registration of ‘Unnayan Dhara Samabay Samity’ at the cooperative office, but it was not found. “Maybe there is a registration from social service,” he evaded responsibility by saying.

When contacted by phone, manager Sudhanshu Babu said, “I no longer work in that office. Swapan Roy now manages the entire operation.”

District Cooperative Office: ‘This is an illegal organization’

When District Cooperative Officer Abdur Rahman could not be reached at the office regarding the complaint, he was contacted later by phone. He confirmed, “There is no registered organization named ‘Unnayan Dhara Samabay Samity’ in Narail.”

He also said that the Upazila Cooperative Officer has been instructed to investigate the matter.

The Upazila Cooperative Officer said, “During the investigation, two pass books named ‘Unnayan Dhara’ were recovered from the Kurigram office. However, Director Swapan Roy claimed that he “knows nothing” about these books and that someone “conspired to leave them behind.”

Swapan Roy’s claim: All denied

Even when confronted with the borrower Tariqul Islam, Swapan Roy denied giving the loan. He claimed that no check was taken from Tariqul.

However, the documents provided by the victim, inconsistencies in the passbook and various testimonies confirm the truth of the locals' allegations.

Finally

Locals say that if the fraud and harassment of the hard-earned money of the common people continues through unregistered cooperative societies, social unrest will increase. The victims and the locals have demanded quick and strict action from the administration.