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“We are investigating the true nature of the incident and whether anyone else was involved. We are also thoroughly examining if there are any other aspects of the case,” he said.

Apu is the sixth suspect arrested in the case. Riyad and four others were arrested from Shammi’s house on July 26 and a case was filed in this regard.

Riyad and three of his associates -- Ibrahim Hossain Munna, convener of SAD’s Dhaka city unit; and members Sakadoun Siam and Sadab -- were remanded in police custody for seven days. The other arrestee, a minor, was sent to a juvenile correction centre.

In the case statement, the ex-lawmaker’s husband Siddique Abu Zafar stated that on July 17, several individuals identifying themselves as SAD members arrived at their Gulshan residence and demanded the money. Shammi was not at home at that time.

“When I refused to pay, they labelled me an Awami League associate and continued to pressure me. Eventually, I paid Tk 10 lakh to Riyad,” Zafar said in his statement.

He further alleged that the group returned on July 19 and banged on the door but left after he informed the police.

“On July 26, Riyad and others came again. I wasn’t at home, but the security guard called me. They demanded the remaining Tk 40 lakh and threatened to hand me over to the police if I didn’t pay. I called the police again, and five of them were arrested on the spot,” Zafar added.

Apu reportedly managed to flee during that raid.

Earlier, police carried out drives on two separate houses used by Riyad in Dhaka and recovered around Tk 3 lakh in cash and four cheques worth around Tk 2.25 crore.

Police officials said the same group targeted another former AL lawmaker, Abul Kalam Azad, and took cheques of Tk 5 crore, including the seized ones, from Azad’s Green Road office on June 26.