The US law enforcement agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has announced a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest of Ruhel Choudhury, who is accused of involvement in the kidnapping, torture, and sexual assault of two Bangladeshi expatriates.

Ruhel, a 34-year-old US citizen of Bangladeshi origin, alleged crimes have garnered significant attention from the US media after the agency issued a wanted poster for him on Friday.

Ruhel is implicated in two separate abduction incidents occurring on March 27 and May 11, 2023.

Prior to this, six individuals associated with these crimes, all Bangladeshi nationals, were arrested.

Among them, Abu Chowdhury and his wife Iffat Lubna from New York's Jamaica neighborhood were detained and later released on bail, with efforts to revoke their bail currently underway.

In another case, Sultana Razia, Syed Rubel Ahmed, and Anju Khan were arrested, with Razia and Rubel Ahmed released on bail while Anju remained in custody.

Ruhel’s alleged role included providing and driving the vehicles used in the kidnappings, facilitating the abductions, as well as involvement in sexual abuse and ransom demands in Queens, New York.

Despite posing as a used car salesman, the FBI revealed that Ruhel’s activities primarily revolved around kidnapping, robbery, and theft.

Born in Bangladesh on February 9, 1990, Choudhury has ties to the neighborhoods of Hollis, Queen’s Village, and Jamaica in Queens, New York.

According to case documents, on March 27, the gang subjected a Bangladeshi expatriate to severe torture for 14 hours, with Ruhel driving a Honda SUV during the ordeal.

The victim was subjected to humiliating and violent acts, including being forced to stand naked on the street and being drugged until losing consciousness, eventually waking up in a hospital.

The May 11 incident involved luring another Bangladeshi expatriate to Woodside, Queens, where he was kidnapped, assaulted, and taken to a hotel for further abuse, including rape by Abu Chowdhury.

Ransom demands were made to the victim's father, who refused to comply, resulting in the victim being abandoned in an empty house from where he managed to escape and seek help.

Abu Chowdhury and Lubna were indicted in July, while the others were presented to Brooklyn Federal Court on January 11.