Dhaka: The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-13 has arrested the main accused in the sensational clueless murder case of brick kiln worker Khokan, from Gaibandha. The arrest took place on Tuesday night, bringing a significant development in the case that has puzzled many since May 2023.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the arrested individual is Md Shafiul Islam, aged 40, from Dakshin Shreepur Kellabari village under Sundarganj police station in Gaibandha. A press release issued in the evening confirmed the arrest. The victim, Khokan, was employed at a brick kiln in Jajira village, which falls under the jurisdiction of South Keraniganj police station.
The case began on May 13, 2023, when Khokan’s wife received a phone call from the workers’ leader, Alam, informing her that Khokan had gone to bathe in the Buriganga river and did not return. Subsequently, Khokan’s body was discovered floating in the river at the Boat Dock point near Jajira village. The Pagla naval police outpost quickly responded to the scene, sending Khokan’s body to Narayanganj Sadar Hospital for an autopsy and filing an unnatural death case.
Following the autopsy report, authorities determined that Khokan died due to asphyxiation. This led Khokan’s wife to file a murder case with South Keraniganj police station on August 15, 2023. Acting on a tip-off, a special team from RAB-13’s Crime Prevention Company (CPC)-3, based at the Gaibandha camp, apprehended Shafiul Islam at Kamarjani Bazar under Sadar police station, Gaibandha, at 7:45 pm.
The RAB-13 has since handed over Shafiul Islam to South Keraniganj police station for further legal proceedings.