Dhaka, Nov 15 (V7N) – The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) claims that businessman Ashraful Haque, whose dismembered body parts were recovered near the National Eidgah in the capital, was murdered by his close friend Jorejul Islam and the friend’s romantic partner, Shamima. Authorities say the killing is linked to financial motives.

RAB officials said the suspects lured Ashraful into a trap before murdering him and dismembering the body. Shamima, described as Jorejul’s partner, was allegedly used to deceive Ashraful and was arrested with several items believed to be connected to the killing.

Jorejul Islam was arrested on Friday from Daudkandi in Cumilla by detectives of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, confirmed DMP spokesperson Talebur Rahman.

A murder case was filed on Friday at Shahbagh Police Station by the victim’s sister, Anjina Begum, naming Jorejul and unidentified accomplices. Family members said Ashraful had travelled to Dhaka last Tuesday with his friend Jorejul, who became a prime suspect shortly after the investigation began.

According to RAB, Jorejul confined Ashraful, forced him into compromising situations, and photographed him to use for extortion. When the victim resisted, he was killed and the body was cut into pieces in an attempt to dispose of it. RAB’s media wing director, Wing Commander M. Z. M. Intekhab Chowdhury, said a detailed briefing would be given at a press conference on Saturday.

Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khalid Monsur earlier stated that investigators were reviewing CCTV footage, call records, and other surrounding evidence, though they could not disclose a motive until interrogations were complete.

A post-mortem examination was conducted on Friday afternoon at Dhaka Medical College morgue before the remains were handed over to the family.

Family members in Ashraful’s village home in Rangpur’s Badarganj Upazila were overwhelmed with grief. His elderly mother, Aeshara Khatun, broke down after seeing photos of her son’s mutilated body, crying out that she had no one left to care for her.

Relatives said Jorejul had returned to Bangladesh only a month and a half ago after working in Malaysia for years and had been frequently meeting Ashraful. Recently, he had asked Ashraful for Tk 10 lakh, claiming he needed it for a trip to Japan. Ashraful had sold several thousand sacks of potatoes shortly before travelling to Dhaka with Jorejul.

Jorejul’s wife, Umme Kulsum, told reporters that her husband had said he was travelling to Chattogram and later claimed over the phone that he had arrived there. She said she was unaware of any trip to Dhaka.

Police have already detained Jorejul’s father, Moazzem, for questioning after public uproar over the discovery of Ashraful’s dismembered remains.

Local leaders described Ashraful as a well-regarded businessman who had previously worked in trade at the Hili land port before returning to his village to engage in land dealings. A local union chairman said the community was shocked by the brutality of the murder.

On Thursday evening, police recovered two drums near the National Eidgah gate, one of which contained 26 body pieces wrapped in black polythene. Forensic experts later identified the remains by fingerprint analysis.

Ashraful’s sister, Anjina Begum, said she recognized her brother from images circulating on Facebook before traveling to Shahbagh Police Station. She demanded the immediate arrest of everyone involved, saying the truth would be fully revealed once Jorejul was interrogated.

END/AJ/SMA/