Case filed over journalist’s murder in Jashore, suspects unknown

A case has been filed over the killing of journalist and ice factory owner Rana Pratap Bairagi, 40, who was shot and had his throat slit in public in Monirampur, Jashore. The case was filed on Tuesday afternoon by his father Tushar Kanti Bairagi at Monirampur police station against unknown assailants. No arrests have been made so far.

On Monday evening, three assailants reportedly called Rana Pratap out of his ice factory at Kapalia Bazar and took him into a nearby alley, where they shot him in the head at close range and slit his throat before fleeing. He died on the spot.

Rana Pratap was a resident of Arua village in Keshabpur upazila. Alongside the ice factory at Kapalia Bazar, he also owned a fish depot at Katakhali Bazar. He served as acting editor of the Narail-based daily BD Khobor.

After post-mortem examination, the body was handed over to the family, and the last rites were performed on Tuesday evening at the Swarupkathi cremation ground in Keshabpur.

His father said his son had no known enemies and suspected the killing may have been linked to vested interests. He demanded swift justice.

Officer-in-charge of Monirampur police station Md Rajiullah Khan said the case names several unknown suspects, though the number has not been specified. The motive behind the killing remains unclear and an investigation is ongoing.

Local sources said Rana Pratap had previously been associated with an extremist group and served time in jail in a case 10 to 12 years ago before returning to normal life on bail. Police said he had three cases filed against him under murder, rape and explosives laws.