Date: January 23, 2026 Desk: Investigation Desk, Black Lens 2.0
Kasba, a border upazila in Brahmanbaria, was once known as a peaceful township. Recently, however, it has repeatedly made headlines for criminal activities. Yet, surpassing all discussions, a deep-seated panic has gripped the people of the Kayampur Union and Chakbasta areas. The source of this terror has a name—Badshah Jewel.
Known locally as the “Drug Emperor” and the “Prince of Terror,” Jewel has established a reign of fear. Despite orchestrating a series of barbaric acts, brandishing weapons in public, and leaving prominent citizens bloodied, he roams freely. No one dares to speak against him; in this territory, speaking out against Badshah Jewel is akin to signing one’s own death warrant.
A vast empire of crime has flourished right under the nose of the administration. But the question remains: Who is this Badshah Jewel? Why is there no one to stop him?
The Overlord of Chakbasta and the Drug Syndicate
Investigations by Black Lens 2.0 reveal that the Chakbasta area of Kayampur Union, due to its proximity to the Indian border, is known as a ‘Safe Zone’ for drug trafficking. The absolute control of this zone lies in the hands of Badshah Jewel. Local sources claim that a massive portion of illegal goods and narcotics entering through the Indian border spreads across various parts of Kasba through Jewel’s network.
Using money and muscle power, he has built a private militia. This force is so reckless that they do not hesitate to abduct or beat anyone in broad daylight. Interestingly, like a twisted version of Robin Hood, he distributes a portion of his illicit wealth among the poor and destitute to curate a loyal following, essentially building a terrorist state within the state. While the conscious citizens of the area seethe with rage, fear for their lives keeps their mouths shut.
The Barbaric Attack on Student Leader Saddam: The Mafia’s Reign Begins
Last year, the life-threatening attack on Saddam, a Chatra Dal leader of Kasba West Union, carried out in broad daylight, was a naked display of Badshah Jewel’s power. Despite his political identity, Saddam was not spared from Jewel’s wrath. He was critically injured in that attack and narrowly escaped death.
Following the incident, the general public and political leaders of Kasba West Union expressed intense anger. Protest rallies were organized. Surprisingly, even after such a major event, Jewel’s dominance did not diminish in the slightest. Instead, by indirectly threatening the protesters, he made it clear just how long his reach extends.
Bloodshed for Protest: Attacks on Tarek and Shaheen
Badshah Jewel did not just target political opponents; he did not spare social workers who stood as obstacles in his path. Two leaders of a local anti-drug organization—Sarkar Fazle Rabbi Tarek and Tanvir Shaheen—raised their voices against Jewel’s cross-border smuggling and drug trade. Their only goal was to save society from the clutches of narcotics.
That was their crime. As a result of their resistance, Badshah Jewel and his gang launched a brutal attack on them. Sarkar Fazle Rabbi Tarek was left bloodied on the street. This incident sent a clear message to other dissenting voices in society: speak against the Drug Emperor, and the consequences will be dire.
No Mercy for the Defenders of the Nation: The Savagery on Sergeant Shamim
The graph of Jewel’s crimes reached skyrocketing heights on January 21, 2026. His latest victim was Mohammad Shamim, a recently retired Army Sergeant and resident of Kalta village in Kayampur Union.
A son of the soil, who spent a long period of his life dedicated to defending the country, was assaulted and bloodied in his own home. Over a trivial matter, Jewel and his gang beat Sergeant Shamim mercilessly. The injuries were so severe that he had to be rushed to the hospital, where he is currently groaning in pain on a hospital bed.
Such an attack on a retired army member has stunned the conscious community of Kasba. The common people are asking: if a former soldier is not safe, where lies the security of the ordinary citizen?
Facebook Manipulation and Misuse of Religion: Swearing on the Quran to Hide Truth
Just as public anger began to crystallize after these atrocities, Badshah Jewel played a cunning trick. Following the incident, he appeared on Facebook Live, holding the Holy Quran in his hand, attempting to prove his innocence.
In the live broadcast, he presented a strange mixture of truth and lies. On one hand, he tried to evade responsibility for the attack, and on the other, he leveled counter-allegations against the victims. By exploiting religious sentiments, he is attempting to gain the sympathy of the common people. However, locals say this is an old tactic. Committing crimes and then invoking religion to escape is nothing new for him. This attempt to use the Holy Book as a shield to cover his crimes has only generated more hatred among the pious.
Threats Against Journalists: Attempting to Strangle the Media
A chilling revelation has emerged from the investigation by Black Lens 2.0. Because this outlet dared to publish news about Badshah Jewel’s misdeeds, he and his followers are not sparing the journalists.
When Investigative Journalist Mehedi Hasan took up his pen against Jewel’s drug empire and terrorism, he was directly threatened with death. He was told he would be shot dead for exposing the truth.
Such threats against journalists are a grave warning signal for independent journalism. If exposing the truth invites bullets and death threats, how will media workers, who act as the mirror of society, perform their duties?
The Role of Administration and Questions in the Public Mind
With so many allegations, case after case, and the cries of victims—why remains Badshah Jewel beyond the reach of the law? Locals allege that an invisible force is protecting him. Fingers are pointed at influential local BNP figure Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan and the General Secretary of Kasba Upazila BNP, Shariful Haque Swapon. Allegations suggest that Jewel repeatedly escapes justice through their direct or indirect signals.
The people of Kayampur and Chakbasta in Kasba have only one demand now: bring this drug emperor and terrorist under the law immediately. They demand justice for the attacks on Sergeant Shamim, Student Leader Saddam, anti-drug activists Tarek and Shaheen, and all other victims.
Conclusion
The roots of crime run deep. But the people of Kasba do not want to live in fear anymore. They want a society free from terror. If terrorists like Badshah Jewel are not stopped now, Kasba will soon turn into a lawless land. Will the administration be able to pull the reins of this ‘Drug Emperor’? Or will the township of Kasba remain shrouded in a blanket of fear?
Editor’s Note: Black Lens 2.0 is committed to investigative storytelling and truth-seeking. No threat, including the one against our Editor Mehedi Hasan, will deter us from uncovering hidden narratives.
