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The managing director of Al Mostafa Group, Mohammad Mostafa Kamal, has been accused of filing multiple cases against businesses using security cheques deposited during commercial transactions, harassing businesspeople and using law enforcement agencies to exert pressure on them.
The allegations concern the group’s business operations in the Meghnaghat area of Narayanganj. Affected businesses claim that instead of settling outstanding accounts arising from longstanding commercial relationships, Mostafa Kamal has initiated a series of cases against them using security cheques.
They have also alleged that a retired police officer is helping pursue the cases and that the Detective Branch (DB) of police has been used to intimidate businesspeople.
The complainants further claim that Mostafa Kamal was associated with the Awami League, whose activities are currently banned, and had considerable local influence during the party’s tenure. They allege that following the political changeover on August 5, 2024, Al Mostafa Group’s business operations effectively came to a halt, while legal disputes with its business partners increased.
Some affected businesses have described the series of cases as a form of “case business”, alleging that legal proceedings are being used to put pressure on them for financial settlements.
Haq Group faces 29 cases
Haq Group, one of the country’s oldest industrial conglomerates, had maintained a business relationship with Al Mostafa Group for nearly 14 years, purchasing packaging materials for its biscuits from the latter.
Haq Group Chief Operating Officer Zahidul Islam Bidyut said the company had provided bank cheques as security deposits during the longstanding business relationship. Following the suspension of supplies by Al Mostafa Group after August 2024, the two companies needed to reconcile their outstanding accounts, he said.
According to Haq Group officials, the company repeatedly proposed negotiations to settle the financial differences, but Mostafa Kamal and his representatives did not agree to sit for discussions.
Instead, Al Mostafa Group allegedly used the security cheques to file 25 cases against Haq Group under the Negotiable Instruments Act. Separate cases were also filed with police over the same business dispute, bringing the total number of cases to 29, the officials claimed.
Haq Group’s public relations officer, Sakib Hasan, told Sarabangla that the two companies had conducted transactions worth approximately Tk 114 crore over the years, of which around Tk 112.45 crore had been paid.
According to the company’s calculations, approximately Tk 1.55 crore remained payable to Al Mostafa Group. However, he said, Al Mostafa Group claimed that more than Tk 5 crore was outstanding, while the cases filed so far sought recovery of around Tk 11 crore.
Hasan alleged that cases had also been filed over cheques against which partial payments had already been made. In some instances, he claimed, separate cases had been filed using the same cheques and vouchers.
“We have repeatedly urged Mostafa Kamal to sit with us and settle the accounts, but he has refused,” Hasan said.
He also alleged that other businesses, including Elin Foods, had faced similar legal action.
The complainants argue that if the primary objective were to recover legitimate dues, negotiations to reconcile the accounts would be a more appropriate course than filing successive cases.
They further alleged that the proceedings were intended, in part, to exert pressure on businesses amid the wider political and legal fallout following the change of government in August 2024.
Complaint over late-night DB raid
The allegations have also raised questions about the use of law enforcement agencies in commercial disputes.
According to a written complaint submitted to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner, a DB police team conducted a late-night operation at the residence of Haq Group’s chief operating officer.
The complaint alleges that the executive was taken from his home and subsequently shown as arrested in connection with a police station case rather than being formally arrested at the DB office.
The complainants have called for an investigation into the conduct of the police officers involved, the authorisation for the operation, their legal jurisdiction and the procedure followed during the arrest.
Retired police officer’s role questioned
Business representatives have also questioned the involvement of a retired assistant superintendent of police (ASP), identified as ASM Azad, in Al Mostafa Group’s affairs.
They allege that the former police officer has been involved in handling business disputes and legal proceedings and that his former professional identity and connections are being used to put pressure on businesspeople.
The complainants have questioned the nature and extent of his responsibilities, particularly given their claim that the group’s regular production and business activities have ceased.
When contacted by Sarabangla on Saturday, October 17, Azad said, “I work for Al Mostafa Group. So, I am responsible for looking after everything.”
Asked why the company was filing successive cases instead of resolving the disputes through negotiations, he said, “Of course, I will file cases to recover the money owed. If they pay the money, there will be no cases.”
Regarding the alleged DB operations, he said, “Yes, I conducted operations using DB police, and I will conduct more. Write whatever you want.”
Mostafa Kamal could not be reached for comment, as he did not answer phone calls.
Clarification over Meghna Group
Those familiar with the matter have stressed that Al Mostafa Group’s managing director and the managing director of Meghna Group are different individuals, despite the similarity in their names.
According to local residents and officials associated with the businesses, the two groups are separate entities with distinct ownership, management and commercial identities.
They have urged the media and others not to conflate the allegations against Al Mostafa Group with Meghna Group or people associated with the latter.
Call for impartial investigation
Haq Group and other complainants have called for an impartial investigation into the disputed financial accounts, the use of security cheques, the filing of multiple cases, the legal basis of the police operations and the alleged involvement of the retired police officer.
They say all parties are entitled to pursue legitimate claims through legal channels, but such processes should not be used to subject businesses to unjustified harassment or pressure.
The allegations against Al Mostafa Group and its representatives could not be independently verified. Mostafa Kamal did not respond to requests for comment, while Azad defended the filing of cases as a means of recovering outstanding payments.