Police investigating the murder of Dhaka University Chhatra Dal leader Shahriar Alam Sami have identified all three arrested suspects as the “actual killers” behind the crime.
Ramna Zone Deputy Commissioner (DC) Masud Alam of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) told Times of Bangladesh that investigators confirmed their involvement through CCTV footage analysis, eyewitness accounts, and interrogation during remand.
The accused are Tamim Howladar (30), Palash Sardar (30), and Samrat Mallik (28.
Following the arrests, Chhatra Dal activists staged protests at Shahbagh on Sunday, while Sami’s friends and fellow DU students had earlier surrounded Shahbagh Police Station demanding justice.
DC Masud stated: “The three suspects were regulars at a drug den in Suhrawardy Udyan, operating near Farmgate’s footpaths. We’re investigating whether more accomplices from their circle were involved in the stabbing, which occurred after a motorcycle collision escalated into violence.”
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DMP Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali rewarded Masud’s team with Tk1 lakh for apprehending the trio within hours of the murder.
Investigations revealed that Shammo’s friend Rafi had informed police that the assailants sustained injuries during the altercation. Patrol teams subsequently located two suspects at Panthapath’s Samorita Hospital emergency ward — one receiving head bandages, the other awaiting X-rays. The third was tracked via mobile surveillance.
Metropolitan Magistrate Shahin Reza granted six-day remand for the accused on Saturday. They were originally arrested on May 14 and later transferred to jail before being brought back for questioning.
The fatal incident occurred at around 11pm on May 13 when Shammo, riding through Suhrawardy Udyan, collided with another motorcycle. An argument ensued, leading to his stabbing. He was pronounced dead at Dhaka Medical College Hospital by midnight.
Shammo served publicity secretary of DU’s Sir AF Rahman Hall unit of Chhatra Dal. The master’s student hailed from Ullapara in Sirajganj.