SB SI murder: 'Drug-addict killers became more aggressive knowing about victim's profession'

A Special Branch (SB) sub-inspector, Altab Hossain, was beaten to death in Aminbazar, Savar, Dhaka, over the parking of an auto-rickshaw. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) said the attackers were under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident.

RAB-10 commander Additional DIG Mohammad Asaduzzaman made the statement at a press conference at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka, on Monday.

He said, “The police officer was not the target. Altab Hossain worked or had worked for the Special Branch, and he was wearing civilian clothes at the time.” He said Hossain intervened out of a sense of duty as both a police officer and a citizen when he saw an elderly man being assaulted. The RAB official described the incident as “an entirely isolated incident.”

On Saturday night, SI Altab Hossain and his son Ariful Islam were beaten and injured after a group entered a T-shirt factory in the Baradeshi Madina City area of Aminbazar. Altab Hossain was later taken to hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His son remains under treatment.

Shuli Begum, the wife of the deceased police officer, filed a murder case with Savar Model Police Station, naming 15 people. Police later announced the arrest of Jahirul Islam, a private car driver alleged to be the “main instigator” of the attack.

RAB said that on Sunday night, RAB-10 arrested four people from the Munshiganj launch terminal, while RAB-4 arrested another four from Aminbazar. Those arrested from Munshiganj were Alauddin, Apon, Jihad and Imran. Those arrested from Aminbazar were Nur Mohammad Rudra, Rakib Mia, Sabbir Ahmed and Wasim.

RAB-10 commander Asaduzzaman said, “We managed to arrest four people and conducted preliminary questioning in various ways. We have found their initial involvement.” With these arrests, RAB has so far detained eight of the 15 accused named in the case.

According to RAB, the incident began on Saturday night when a garage owner was being assaulted over the parking of an auto-rickshaw. SI Altab Hossain protested against the assault. Five men travelling in a private car allegedly attacked the garage owner, triggering the confrontation.

Hossain and his son Ariful got into an argument with those assaulting the garage owner. As the situation escalated, Hossain identified himself as a police officer. RAB said this made the attackers even more aggressive.

To save his life, Hossain ran into his son’s garment factory for shelter, but the attackers followed him there. They allegedly called another 15 to 20 people, broke through the factory gate and entered the premises.

Hossain and his son were beaten with locally made weapons and sticks, while machinery and furniture inside the factory were also vandalised.

RAB official Asaduzzaman said Apon and Jihad, among those arrested, are highly crime-prone and have poor records of previous offences.

According to him, they lead a juvenile gang in the area and are involved in drug-related activities.

He said RAB had confirmed that most of the attackers were associated with juvenile gangs and involved in drug-related activities.

According to RAB, Alauddin delivered the first blow to Altab Hossain. Jihad allegedly injured him with a knife. Apon, described as the main leader of the local gang, allegedly struck Hossain on the head with a steel pipe.

RAB said it found information about three drug-related cases against Apon. Imran also allegedly took part in the mob attack.

The main accused in the Altab Hossain murder case, Jahurul, was produced before a court on Monday afternoon with a 10-day remand request for questioning.

Savar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Alam said nine people had already been arrested through raids in different locations.

Police sought 10 days’ remand for Jahurul and seven days for the other accused. Operations to arrest the remaining suspects are continuing, while police are also taking care to ensure that innocent people are not harassed.

According to police and local sources, around 7:30pm on Saturday, Jahirul Islam was driving his private car from the Dhaka-Aricha Highway towards Madina Housing in the Baradeshi area.

He was accompanied by Mojibur, Kashem, Alamgir and Masud. When they reached an auto garage inside the housing area, their car was blocked by two battery-powered auto-rickshaws.

An argument broke out between Jahirul Islam and garage owner Abul Kalam Azad. At one point, Jahirul allegedly slapped Azad.

Altab Hossain, who was returning home after praying at a nearby mosque, protested against the assault.

The Madina Housing area is locally known as “Balur Math”.

Police and local residents also said that a group of around 20 to 30 people regularly gathers in the area, allegedly using it as a base for drug dealing, extortion and various forms of disorderly activity.

Apon and Jihad, the two sons of former Aminbazar Union Parishad member Shamsul Haque, are said to lead the group and have close ties with Jahirul Islam.

Local residents alleged that Apon and Jihad’s mother, Jahi Begum, had been arrested several times in drug-related cases. Jahirul Islam’s mother, Ruki Begum, is also facing at least 18 drug-related cases.

Jahirul, however, claimed that he does not live with his mother and runs a rent-a-car business in a neighbouring area.

Several drug-related cases have also reportedly been filed against arrested suspect Billal Hossain. He allegedly admitted while in police custody that he was involved in drug dealing.