The investigation officer in the murder case of former Air Force officer KM Tahsif Souri has sought a further seven-day remand for his friend Ahmed Shahriar Reza Dwip for a third round of police interrogation.
The application cites five grounds, including identifying the motive behind the murder and those who planned it, recovering evidence used in the crime, and uncovering the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Firoz Uddin, an inspector at the Tongi River Police Outpost, submitted the petition to the court of Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Monirul Islam on Thursday.
Prosecutor Mohammad Shamsuddoha Sumon confirmed the matter.
The petition outlines five reasons for seeking further interrogation of Dwip. These include determining why and for what motive Tahsif was killed, recovering evidence used in the crime, identifying any mastermind, accomplices or hired killers involved, verifying Dwip’s statements against eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage, and gathering detailed information about the manner and method of the killing.
According to the investigation officer, it is necessary to examine whether the murder was linked to prior enmity, financial transactions, political disputes or personal conflicts. Whereabouts of any other individuals involved in the incident is also one of the key objectives of the investigation.
In the remand application, Inspector Firoz said that Dwip had earlier been interrogated on a three-day remand beginning on 3 November following a court order.
During questioning, he reportedly provided several important pieces of information. However, the application states that he tactfully avoided answering a number of questions related to the incident and remained silent on certain issues.
The investigation officer said the information provided by Dwip needs to be verified and further examined.
On Wednesday, the court of Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Manjurul Islam granted a three-day remand for further questioning of Jerika Tasnim Disha, another friend of Tahsif.
The petition states that on 27 October, Dwip took Tahsif out of his residence. Later, Tahsif, Dwip and Disha went together to a motorcycle garage. After having work done on the motorcycle, they visited CP Five Star Snacks at different times and had food there. Later that night, they went to Uttara Nest Bar and Restaurant, where they consumed beer. At one stage, Disha returned home.
Quoting information provided by Dwip during interrogation, the application further states that around 12:40am on 28 October, he and Tahsif arrived at Mazar Basti in Tongi. They then went through the settlement to a field on the bank of the Turag River. Dwip claimed that they separated after noticing the presence of several people there.
The investigation officer said that a review of CCTV footage and mobile phone call records showed that Tahsif was last seen alive with Dwip and Disha before his death. Investigators have also found evidence that they visited various locations together and ate at restaurants before the incident. Their possible involvement in the case is therefore being treated as a significant aspect of the probe.
The case is sensitive and has attracted significant public attention. If the accused is released on bail, he may go into hiding and hamper the investigation, the official said.
Therefore, Dwip needs to be placed on a further police remand for questioning to uncover the full mystery behind the murder and identify any other individuals involved, he added.
Earlier, on 3 November, police sought a seven-day remand for Dwip for second time. Following a hearing, the court granted a three-day remand. Before that, he had been questioned on a four-day remand during the first phase of interrogation.
