Senior Crime Reporter Abu Hena Rasel Passes Away at 57

Veteran journalist and crime reporter Abu Hena Akhtar Hossain Rasel, 57, has passed away. He fell ill on Wednesday at Asad Gate in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, and was taken to hospital where he died while undergoing treatment.

Abu Hena Rasel, an executive committee member of the Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association (CRAB), worked at Daily Bhorer Kagoj, Samakal, and Kalerkantho during his career. He was serving as special correspondent of Khobor Sangjog newspaper at the time of his death. He hailed from Rajshahi and is survived by his wife, one son, one daughter, and numerous well-wishers.

According to CRAB sources, Rasel went to Talukdar Filling Station near Asad Gate on his motorcycle to refuel while heading to work from his Mohammadpur residence on Wednesday morning. He suddenly felt chest pain and fell ill. People present took him to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hospital, where attending physicians declared him dead at 1:20pm.

His son Miraj Hossain said that last Sunday a private car hit his father’s motorcycle from behind in the Kakrail area of the capital, causing serious injuries to his hands, legs, and left side of the chest. He had received treatment afterwards.

CRAB President Mirza Mehedi Tamal said the janaza prayer would be held on Wednesday afternoon at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) premises. The body would then be taken to his Mohammadpur residence for another janaza at the local mosque before burial at the graveyard adjacent to the Rayerbazar Killing Field Memorial.

Abu Hena Rasel began his journalism career around 2000. He lived in Canada for some time before returning to Bangladesh in 2016 and resuming journalism.

CRAB President Mirza Mehedi Tamal, General Secretary M M Badshah, and other members of the executive committee expressed deep shock at his death. They prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased’s soul and extended condolences to the bereaved family. In mourning, CRAB has postponed its scheduled 43rd founding anniversary programme set for tomorrow.