Accused Abdus Samad, ward 9 Jamaat ameer, claims rice belonged to brother

​The local administration has recovered 96 sacks of government rice from the house of a Jamaat-e-Islami leader in Subarnachar upazila of Noakhali.

Each sack of the Food Department rice weighs 30 kg. The incident has sparked a stir in the area.

The rice was recovered this afternoon (May 16) from a house in the Iman Ali Bazar area of Char Jabbar union under the upazila.

​The accused, Md Abdus Samad, also known as Dr Samad, is reportedly the ameer of Jamaat’s local ward 9 unit of Char Jabbar union. Subarnachar UNO Alokby Osman confirmed the authenticity of the information to The Daily Star this evening.

​According to locals, government rice had been hoarded in his house for a long time to be sold later at higher prices. On Saturday morning, locals found out about the matter and went to Samad’s house, where they spotted a large number of government rice sacks in a room. The administration and police were subsequently informed.

Receiving information, officials from the administration went to the spot, recovered the sacks of rice, and kept them at the Union Parishad office.

​Regarding the matter, Abdus Samad said, ​”My younger brother, Dr Azgar, is a dealer. He bought the government-allocated rice for a Noorani Madrasa. Later, they were kept at the house.”

​District Jamaat Ameer Ishak Khondokar told The Daily Star that while it is true the rice was recovered from the Jamaat leader’s house, the rice actually belongs to his brother. “Therefore, the responsibility for this incident does not fall on the Jamaat leader in any way.”

​Subarnachar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Alokby Osman stated that the rice was recovered based on complaints from locals. Authorities are verifying whether there are valid documents for purchasing the rice. Legal action will be taken, if necessary.

Published Date: May 16, 2026