Staff Reporter:
Police have arrested three people in separate raids in Khulna district and the city’s Mohammadpur areas on Friday, revealing the mystery of the sensational murder case of Bangladeshi born British citizen, Dr. AKM Abdur Rashid.
The arrestees have been identified as Md. Naeem Khan (22), Md. Zahidur Rahman Rifat (20) and Md. Abu Taher Sikder alias Shaon (22).
Hazaribagh Thana police arrested the trio in separate raids in Dumuria area in Khulna and Mohammad-pur area in Dhaka on Friday.
Police also seized a sharp knife used in the murder following information extracted from the detained Md. Naeem Khan.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ramna Division, Masud Alam revealed the information in a press briefing held at the DMP media centre yesterday.
The victim of the incident, Dr. AKM Abdur Rashid, a British citizen of Bangladeshi origin, lived in the UK most of the year. He used to come to Bangladesh occasionally.
Three to four unknown assailants entered the house of Dr Rashid located on the 2nd floor of House No. 294/1, Road No. 8/A, West Dhanmondi under Hazaribagh Police Station around 2:30 am on November 15, 2024.
After entering, the assailants scuffled with Dr. Rashid. When his wife Sufia Rashid tried to come for-ward from the next room, one of the assailants blocked her.
At one stage, the assailants stabbed Dr. Rashid in the chest several times with a sharp knife. He was seri-ously injured.
The assailants later ran away after his wife screamed for help.
Critically injured Dr. Rashid was rushed to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital in a bloody state, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.
Victim’s cousin Md. Rezaul Karim filed a murder case with Hazaribagh Police Station on November 15, 2024.
During the investigation into the case, the criminals involved in the murder were identified with the help of CCTV camera footage analysis around the scene, information collected from the victim’s tenants and intelligence information.
Later, on Friday, Naeem Khan and Zahidur Rahman Rifat were arrested from Shahpur Bazar area of ??Dumuria, Khulna.
Another team of Hazaribagh Police Station conducted a raid in Mohammadpur area of ??Dhaka at 03:30 on Friday and arrested Abu Taher Sikder alias Shaon.
According to the information extracted from the detained — Naeem Khan and Zahidur — who were liv-ing as tenants in a flat of the victim’s house.
They had disputes with the victim’s wife over the outstanding rent.
Naeem Khan and Zahidur Rahman Rifat planned to enter the house of Dr Rashid and steal money from the house to start a restaurant business.
As per the plan, on November 15, 2024, they entered the house with Abu Taher Sikder alias Shaon by climbing over the boundary wall of the victim’s house to loot money.
At that time, the victim, Dr. Rashid felt the presence of the arrested criminals when he got up to offer Tahajjud prayers.
When Dr. Rashid tried to stop them, the arrestees scuffled with him.
At one point, the assailants stabbed him critically by a sharp knife and fled the scene.
