Shamsujjoha, commonly known as Joha, who was arrested from Kismat Haldia area of Sunderganj on Saturday night has filled in a few vital pieces of the puzzle in the murder investigation, police sources claimed.
A policeman requesting anonymity told the Dhaka Tribune that Joha confessed to being involved in the murder from the planning stages. Joha also admitted to going to Bogra after the murder took place to update Quader about the matter, who was laying low there.
Police sources claimed, Joha admitted to playing a key role in securing assistance of Chandan Kumar Roy, a man who allegedly lodged complaints about Quader’s corruption to regional Anti-Corruption Commission due to Liton’s encouragement.
‘Quader held a number of meetings at Joha’s wholesale shop at Naldanga in Sadullahpur before the murder’
Chandan had close ties with MP Liton, but a rift ensued between them after Liton became a member of the parliament. It was at this time that Joha allegedly convinced Chandan to side with Quader.
Joha transferred Tk15,000 to Chandan in two installments through bkash, before the latter fled to India, Chandan was last traced in Kurigram by police on January 5, the sources said.
Quader believed that Liton’s ploy to use Chandan to file the corruption complaints ultimately led to his defeat in 2013 election against Liton, which is why Quader wanted to convince Chandan to withdraw the complaints, the sources said.
Chandan also allegedly tipped the three killers about a convenient time to strike MP Liton.
The sources said, Quader held a number of meetings at Joha’s wholesale shop at Naldanga in Sadullahpur before the murder. The three killers used to lodge there. Chandan and his brother-in-law Subol Chandra also attended the meetings.
Joha was sent to jail after his testimony.