Allegations of building seizure, electoral fraud, and fund misappropriation against rival group; demand for financial transparency and handover of records
Special Correspondent, New York: A crowded press conference was held on Monday, June 15, 2026, at Nabanna Party Hall in Jackson Heights, New York, under the banner of the Chittagong Association of North America Inc. The event was organized as a response to a press conference held by the opposing group on June 8.
At the press conference, leaders of the current executive committee strongly accused the rival faction of illegally occupying the organization’s building, committing financial irregularities exceeding $300,000, and unlawfully holding onto power through fraudulent means.
A written statement was read, and journalists’ questions were answered by President Maksudul Haque Chowdhury, General Secretary Masud Hossain Siraji, and Trustee Board Co-Chairman Shahjahan Sikder, along with other senior leaders.
According to the speakers, approximately $60,000 was spent during the election held after the expiration of the interim committee formed in 2022. However, Chief Election Commissioner Sheikh Khaled allegedly altered the originally declared results under pressure from the majority and announced a “fabricated result” via Facebook from a Dunkin’ Donuts location in Long Island. They further alleged that a controversial swearing-in ceremony was later conducted near a church under security presence, while another part of the ceremony was performed virtually from a hospital bed.
The defeated faction (referred to as the Taher–Arif group) allegedly took control of approximately $175,000 without any internal audit or financial accountability. In addition, they have reportedly been collecting rent from tenants of the building unlawfully for the past 22 months. Altogether, the community has not received any accounting for funds exceeding an estimated $300,000.
Speakers further stated that no tax filings have been submitted for the organization since 2022. Due to non-payment of property taxes, the organization is now at serious risk of losing its “Not-for-Profit” status, and the building may face possible seizure by city authorities.
They also alleged that in March of last year, the opposing group forcibly broke into the building, called the police, and filed serious false allegations—including drug trafficking charges—against current committee members. Former President Mohammad Ahsan Habib was arrested during pre-dawn hours while having Sehri, which caused panic among the families of other leaders. However, after a six-month investigation, the court dismissed all charges on October 10 of last year, declaring them baseless and fabricated.
Following this, the current leadership has reportedly filed a compensation lawsuit against the New York State Police Department and the main complainant, Abu Taher.
In the concluding remarks, the leaders stated that running the organization by co-opting individuals without quorum is entirely illegal. They condemned the harassment of tenants and the filing of lawsuits, urging that the reputation of this historic Chittagong community organization in the diaspora should not be damaged further. They called upon the alleged occupying group to immediately hand over all financial records and documents to the legitimately elected representatives.
Among others present at the press conference were Trustee Board Member Hannan Chowdhury; former President Ahsan Habib; Senior Vice President Moktadir Billah; Vice Presidents Ali Akbar Bappi and Ayub Ansari; Joint General Secretary Iqbal Hossain Bhuiyan; Advisor Mohammad Didar; Treasurer Md. Suman Uddin; Organizing Secretary Mohammad Farhad; Office Secretary Shimul Barua; Assistant Office Secretary Md. Zainal Abedin (Arif); Publicity and Publication Secretary Md. Abdul Wadud; Sports Secretary Md. Zahidul Azam (Zahid); Executive Member Nurus Sofa; and general members Mohammad Shawkat Ali, Khairul Bashar, Amal Barua, and Bidhan Barua, among others.
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