District Correspondent, Sylhet: Police have arrested Misbahul Islam Kayes (50), the alleged partner of ‘Second Lady’ and District Women’s Awami League General Secretary Helena, who has been accused of land grabbing. Kayes is the son of deceased Nimar Ali from Basantapur village in Sylhet’s Golapganj upazila. He had been residing in the Boroshala Faridabad Ahmed Housing area of the Sadar upazila.
Kayes was arrested on Saturday night from a restaurant in the Zindabazar area of Sylhet city.
Kotwali Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ziaul Haque confirmed the arrest and stated that Kayes is facing eight cases, including a rape case filed at Dhaka’s Shahbagh Police Station. Among the cases, one was filed at Sylhet’s South Surma Police Station, while the remaining six are at Kotwali Police Station.
According to police and local sources, Kayes is well-known among various influential groups in Sylhet as a “land grabber.” For a long time, he conducted various unethical activities under the guise of being the partner of Women’s Awami League leader Helena.
It was revealed that Helena had a close relationship with Selina Momen, the wife of former Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, who has been in hiding. Using that relationship, Kayes manipulated land classifications and established the “Momen Foundation.” Kayes was reportedly the mastermind behind this initiative.
Kayes has also been implicated in various crimes linked to Helena’s wealth and properties. Most of these were either directly or indirectly orchestrated by him. He allegedly played an active role in suppressing anti-discrimination protests by facilitating violent attacks, as reported by the police.
This incident has once again brought Helena’s political standing, land-related corruption, and the misuse of administrative influence to commit crimes into the spotlight.
