Two days ago, Mr. **La* Mia, an American expatriate, called me. He said in a trembling voice from the other end of the phone—
"Shahjahan Bhai, I am not involved in politics. I was not even in the country on August 5. Yet some people are demanding extortion from my brother. They are saying that if I do not pay the extortion, they will implicate my name in an anti-discrimination case."
To say He broke down in tears as he spoke. It was as if an invisible pain rose from his chest and tightened his voice. I listened speechlessly. What can I say? Unfair business in the name of lawsuits is now a daily reality. If you are angry with someone, file a lawsuit against them! If you don't pay, file a lawsuit!
Some expatriates are already weak, and upon returning home, they become hostages to a certain class of people.
Still, I tried to control myself and console him, saying, "You should come back to the country. You are earning money for your own safety and future, not to flee in fear. We are on your side. Go to Dhaka, not Sylhet, and file a case against the extortionists. We will provide maximum cooperation."
He said in a helpless voice, "Brother, what should I do? Will I be safe even if I file a lawsuit? The people demanding extortion are powerful. They won't take revenge, will they?"
I explained, "You have nothing to fear. If necessary, you will also meet with the anti-discrimination coordinators. They don't know that lawsuits are a business. Why bow down to injustice? File a case against the extortionists in such a way that they will never dare to do such injustice to anyone else in their life."
He sighed. I heard his heavy breathing, as if he was gasping for breath. How many dreams do expatriates work hard for their country, yet upon returning home, they fall into the trap of injustice!
I further explained to him, “First go to the police station. If you don’t get cooperation, go to the district level. If that doesn’t work, go to the capital and complain at a higher level. You will have to get justice somewhere. If all other avenues are closed, then form a social movement, hold a press conference, go to the ministry and apply.”
He saw some hope in my words. He said,
"I have gained some confidence from your words, Shahjahan Bhai. I will contact you again if necessary."
I sat quietly for a while, hanging up the phone. There was half-light and half-darkness all around, and a feeling of intense pain in my heart. Expatriates work abroad with blood and sweat, sending money for their country, but when they return home, lawsuits, harassment, extortion traps, and so much more await them!
Many people say that it is impossible to get justice in the country. This is not entirely true. To get justice, one has to move forward on the right path, with courage and patience. But in a country where lawsuits become a business, where wrongdoers roam freely—how much is the tear of an innocent person worth?
I don't know what fate awaits Mr. *La** Mia. Will he really get justice? Will he really dare to move forward? Or will he one day be exhausted by helpless tears? All I know is that no expatriate deserves such suffering.
Director
● FH Law Solicitors London
● FH Legal Partners Ltd: Dhaka
Editor
● Our Daily ● London Biscuits
Chairman
● Golapganj Upazila Social Trust UK
