The body of a local mosque Imam was found hanging from a mango tree yesterday morning in Gobindaroy Debottar village of Sadullahpur upazila, Gaibandha.
The deceased identified as Abul Kalam Azad, 47, was the imam of a local mosque at Durgapur Gaber Dighi area.
His family members alleged that he was murdered over the outstanding loan interest to one of his friends.
Sadullapur police station OC Masud Rana said: "Imam Kalam went missing after he left his home for the Jummah prayer on Friday. Locals notified police after they discovered the imam's body hanging from the mango tree."
"We can't provide further details regarding the cause of his death until we get the autopsy report," added OC Masud.
The imam's daughter Fatema Begum, said: "Around eight months ago my father took a loan of Tk20,000 from his friend Shaharul of Udaysagar village in Palashbari upazila. Recently, he had paid back his loan, but the lender had asked my father to pay interest over the loaned money.
"On Wednesday, Shahrul along with Shariful and Milon came to our house, and demanded the money, which he refused to pay. Then Shahrul made death threats to my father, and left the house."
Mohdipur Union Parishad Chairman Touhidul Islam Mondal said he informed the OC of Palashbari police station right away when he heard the news of Kalam’s disappearance.
Palashbari police station OC Masudur Rahman said: "We had conducted searches for Kalam and Shahrul since the night Kalam went missing, but could not locate either of them."
