A Dhaka court has placed Ahmed Shahriar Reza Dip, a ‘friend-like younger brother’ of former Air Force officer Tahsif Souri, on a fresh three-day remand in a murder case filed over the recovery of Sauri’s body.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Hasan Shahadat passed the order on Tuesday following a petition by the investigation officer.
Prosecution division SI Saiful Islam confirmed the matter.
Inspector Firoz Uddin, investigation officer of the Tongi River Police Outpost in Gazipur, sought a seven-day remand for Dip, citing eight reasons.
Prosecutor Mohammad Shamsuddoha Sumon argued in favour of the remand, while Dip’s lawyer, Mutasim Billah, sought its rejection.
After hearing both sides, the court granted a three-day remand.
According to the remand petition, Sauri had been seen spending time with Dip and suspected accused Jerika Tasnim Disha and dining at several restaurants before his death.
“Based on the information gathered so far, it appears that Souri was last seen with them before his death,” the petition said, adding that police had found sufficient information and evidence suggesting that the accused were involved in the incident “in one way or another.”
Police said further interrogation was necessary to uncover the circumstances surrounding the death and identify and arrest those actually involved in the murder.
The investigation officer cited eight reasons in support of the remand. The reasons were:
A) To review, verify and analyse relevant CCTV footage in Dip’s presence and examine his movements.
B) To determine where Dip went and whom he contacted during the 15–20 minutes he left the victim at Nest Bar & Restaurant.
C) To collect and examine the call detail records (CDRs) of the relevant mobile phones used by the victim, Dip and others.
D) To uncover the main mystery surrounding the murder.
E) To identify and arrest the other unidentified suspects.
F) To recover evidence related to the case.
G) To gather information about the motive behind the murder.
H) To determine the exact location where the murder took place.
Earlier, on Saturday, a Dhaka court granted Dip a four-day remand in the first phase.
The floating body of Tahsif Souri, who came into the spotlight as the alleged person who recorded a video of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina leaving the country, was recovered by the naval police from the Rajabari Ghat area of the Turag River on the afternoon of October 28.
Tahsif had left his home on his motorcycle on the evening of October 27 after Dip called him downstairs.
On October 29, Dip said he had parted ways with Tahsif in the Uttara House Building area after having dinner together at a restaurant.
As no case was filed even after three days, Dip was handed over to the naval police on the night of October 30 amid discussions over what action would be taken against him.
On October 31, Tahsif’s father, KM Eneyetul Karim, filed the murder case with Uttarkhan Police Station against unidentified persons, alleging that his son had been killed and his body dumped in the river to conceal the crime.
The following day, the court placed Dip on a four-day remand.
Based on information provided by Dip, police recovered Tahsif’s motorcycle from the Mazar Basti area of Tongi on the morning of October 30.
Dip also admitted that he had gone to the area with Tahsif around midnight. The area is known as a drug spot. PBI officials later took Dip to the area in Tongi on Friday to inspect the location.
Meanwhile, a court on Sunday granted a four-day remand for Jerika Tasnim Disha, described as Tahsif’s “friend,” in the case. Disha was reportedly seen with Tahsif at a bar in Uttara on the night of the incident.