The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested a named accused in the murder case of Abdur Rahman Shamim, alias Jahangir, a 65-year-old spiritual leader known as a ‘Pir’ in Daulatpur, Kushtia.
Thwas apprehended during a raid in the Godagari area of Rajshahi at approximately 11pm on Thursday.
Rajib, who is the third accused in the case, is the son of Gazi Mistri from the West South Philipnagar village of Philipnagar union.
The arrest was confirmed via a press release issued at 11:30 pm on Thursday by Sudipto Sarkar, Additional Superintendent of Police and Company Commander of Kushtia RAB-12.
He stated that the operation was conducted jointly by RAB-5 (Rajshahi) and RAB-12 (Kushtia).
Arifur Rahman, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Daulatpur Police Station, reported that authorities are currently identifying those involved in the murder, as well as the subsequent attack, vandalism, and arson at the shrine, using various video footages.
Following his arrest by RAB, Rajib Mistri was sent to jail through the court on Friday.
Prior to this latest arrest, police had already apprehended three other individuals during raids late Sunday and Monday nights in the West South Philipnagar and Islampur areas.
Those suspects identified as Biplob Hossain (26), Alif Islam (23), and a tenth-grade student, Alamgir Hossain (16) have also been sent to prison.
The incident dates back to11 April, when Abdur Rahman Shamim was beaten and hacked to death inside his astana (shrine) following allegations of defaming the Quran. During the attack, the Darbar Sharif was also vandalised and set on fire.
On 13 April, the victim’s elder brother, Fazlur Rahman, a retired teacher, filed a murder case at Daulatpur Police Station as the primary complainant.
To date, a total of four individuals have been arrested in connection with the crime, and OC Arifur Rahman confirmed that police operations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.
