Dhaka:Police have detained a man suspected of involvement in the murder of a 17-year-old student in the Kafrul area of Dhaka.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the suspect, identified as Md Abdullah Al Mamun alias Mamun Sarkar, 24, allegedly befriended the victim, Md Rakibul Islam, online a few months prior to the incident. On September 16, Mamun reportedly lured Rakib to his residence in Shukrabad by contacting him via WhatsApp and arranging to meet near Shewrapara Metro Rail Station.
Mamun is accused of holding Rakib hostage and demanding Tk 15 lakh in ransom from his family. A confrontation between the two allegedly led to Mamun twisting Rakib's neck, resulting in his death.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Joint Commissioner (Crime Prevention-North) Md Mahidul Islam provided details during a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre. He explained that Rakib, who lived in East Shewrapara and attended a coaching center in Farmgate, was last seen after receiving a WhatsApp call on September 16. Following his disappearance, his family received ransom demands, accompanied by threats to his life.
Rakib's family reportedly paid Tk 4 lakh through various transactions in an attempt to secure his release. His elder brother, Zohurul Islam Jibon, filed a general diary and later a case concerning Rakib's disappearance and the ransom demand.
Investigators traced the ransom demands back to Mamun, who was arrested at Shukrabad bus stand on Monday. During interrogation, Mamun allegedly admitted to killing Rakib, concealing his body in a carton, and burying it in Dimla, Nilphamari. With Dimla Police's help, Rakib's body was exhumed on Tuesday, identified by his brother, and sent for autopsy.
Police recovered Tk 50,000 from Mamun, believed to be part of the ransom. The investigation continues to ascertain if others were involved and to analyze the ransom transactions and other pertinent details, Mahidul stated.