The family of Shihab Uddin Malek Sagar, 36, who lost his life after travelling from Chattogram to Dhaka to celebrate his birthday, has demanded the cancellation of bail and the arrest of Mahzabin Islam Riya, the prime accused in the murder case.
They also called for the case to be transferred to Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), alongside ensuring an impartial probe and fair justice. The family alleged that Sagar was murdered after being trapped in a premeditated plot.
These demands were voiced at a press conference held at Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of National Press Club in Dhaka on Sunday.
According to the family, police recovered Sagar’s body from an apartment in the capital’s Vatara area on 20 August. In connection with the incident, his family members filed a murder case with Vatara Police Station on 25 August.
Expressing serious concern over the neutrality of the investigation, they said the prime accused obtained bail from the High Court within two months of the incident.
Narrating the background, the family said Sagar ran a pet bird business in Dhaka, during which he became acquainted with Riya and developed a romantic relationship. Although Sagar proposed marriage, Riya did not consent.
Sagar subsequently decided to move back to Chattogram. The family claimed that on 19 August, he came to Dhaka upon Riya’s invitation to celebrate his birthday, only for his body to be recovered the following day.
Sagar had also purchased an air ticket for the afternoon of 21 August to fly back to Chattogram.
At the press conference, the family referred to a video circulating on social media, claiming it shows Riya wielding a kitchen chopper (boti) and threatening to kill Sagar.
Citing police, the family added that Musa, the caretaker of the apartment, and an unidentified woman were present at the scene when the body was recovered. These claims, however, could not be independently verified.
The family further claimed that there are discrepancies in Sagar’s post-mortem report.
To ascertain the actual cause of death, they demanded a comprehensive review of the post-mortem and forensic reports, forensic examination of evidence recovered from the crime scene, and an analysis of Sagar’s phone call logs and message records.
In addition, they urged authorities to investigate the roles of the individuals who were present in the apartment at the time of the incident.
Voicing apprehension that the prime accused might influence the investigation or destroy critical evidence whilst out on bail, the family demanded her re-arrest, an impartial inquiry to uncover the truth, and the delivery of justice.
