A fraud complaint has been filed in a Dhaka court against five people, including organisers of a cancelled concert by Pakistani singer Atif Aslam, over allegations that ticket money was not refunded.

The complaint was lodged on Monday with the court of Dhaka’s Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Zakir Hossain by lawyer Ahsan Habib Bhuiyan, who said he and others had bought tickets for the concert before it was called off.

The court has ordered the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police to investigate the allegations and submit a report within 15 working days.

Those named in the case include Kazi Rafsan, co-founder of the organising company Main Stage Inc, Briti Sabrina Khan, event management firm Chologhuri Ltd, its Managing Director Asif Iqbal, and Chairman Promi Islam.

According to the complaint, Main Stage Inc announced on social media in mid-November that Atif Aslam had agreed to perform at a live concert in Dhaka, with ticket sales beginning shortly afterwards. The event was scheduled for Dec 13 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Purbachal New Town.

Ahsan said he bought five tickets worth nearly Tk 29,000 and that many others also purchased tickets. However, organisers later announced that the concert had been postponed after failing to secure government approval and security clearance.

The complaint alleges that despite legal notices seeking an apology and clarity on refunds, the organisers did not respond and blocked the complainant from their social media page.

In a Facebook post announcing the cancellation, Atif Aslam said the organisers had been unable to obtain the necessary approvals and security clearances.

Later, on Dec 12, Main Stage Inc also posted on Facebook announcing the event's cancellation, adding that due to the announcement of the election schedule and heightened security measures, they were unable to finalise a new date for the event.

Main Stage Inc said refunds would be provided on request, but that the process would take time.

Attempts to contact Main Stage Inc for comment were unsuccessful.