Rajshahi, Mar 16 (V7N)– Victims of alleged fraud perpetrated by a Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) official and his brother held a press conference on Sunday, March 16, demanding justice and the return of their embezzled funds.

Assistant Director (Finance and Accounts) Md. Manikuzzaman Manik, who works in RUET's administrative department, and his brother, Munjuruzzaman Mun, owner of Rajshahi Hardware, are accused of defrauding individuals through false promises of jobs, land sales, and business investments.

At a press conference held at the River Queen Restaurant in Rajshahi, Tamanna Yasmin presented a written statement outlining the victims' grievances. She alleged that Manikuzzaman Manik and Munjuruzzaman Mun embezzled a total of 1.7 million taka (17 lakh taka) from them.

"They took our money under the pretext of providing jobs at RUET, business needs, and land sales," Yasmin stated. "When we asked for our money back, they intimidated, insulted, and drove us away."

Among the victims is Mahabubur Rahman (Sanju), a person with disabilities, who claims that Manikuzzaman Manik fraudulently obtained 600,000 taka (6 lakh taka) from him in January, citing business needs. When Sanju sought the return of his money, he was allegedly threatened and ejected from Manik's office.

Ashraf Uz Zaman, another victim, alleges that Manikuzzaman Manik took 600,000 taka (6 lakh taka) from him in 2021 as a down payment for land he promised to sell, with the understanding that the remaining amount would be paid within six months. However, Manik allegedly failed to hand over the land and refused to return the money.

Mamunur Rashid, from the Raninagar area, claims that Manik took 100,000 taka (1 lakh taka) from him, citing urgent business needs, and has yet to return the money.

Naubahar Khatun and her family allege that Manikuzzaman Manik and Munjuruzzaman Mun took 150,000 taka (1.5 lakh taka) and 100,000 taka (1 lakh taka), respectively, promising jobs at RUET. However, the jobs never materialized. When Naubahar's daughter, Tamanna Yasmin, and son-in-law, Shahi, sought the return of their money, they were allegedly assaulted and threatened by Munjuruzzaman Mun. Tamanna Yasmin filed a general diary with the Boalia Model Police Station regarding the incident.

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