The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has confirmed that Rangpur businessman Ashraful Haque was murdered after the accused failed attempt to extort Tk10 lakh through obscene video recordings.
RAB-3 Commander Lieutenant Colonel Faizul Arefin was speaking at a press briefing at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar on Saturday morning.
Lt Col Arefin said the accused, Jarejul Islam, and Shamima, plotted to blackmail Ashraful by filming obscene videos to extort Tk10 lakh. When the money was not paid, they killed him, he added.
Investigators, acting on Shamima’s information, recovered blood-stained clothing belonging to Ashraful, including a T-shirt, as well as ropes and tape used in the murder. It was also revealed that the accused had agreed to split the extorted amount, with Jarejul receiving Tk7 lakh and Shamima Tk3 lakh.
Lt Col Arefin added that further investigation is underway to determine whether any personal enmity or other motives were involved.
Ashraful’s dismembered body was discovered on 13 November inside two blue drums near the National Eidgah grounds, noticed by passersby. Forensic examination confirmed the remains were those of Ashraful Haque.
According to police, Ashraful came to Dhaka on 11 November with his expatriate friend Jarejul.
On Friday, Ashraful’s elder sister filed a case against Jarejul and unidentified individuals. Later the same day, police arrested Jarejul and Shamima in Daudkandi, Cumilla.
Ashraful, an importer of raw materials, had lent Tk20 lakh to Jarejul, who had recently returned from Malaysia and planned to travel to Japan. The confrontation occurred when Ashraful accompanied Jarejul to Dhaka to provide the money.
