Seventeen-year-old Md Rakibul Islam came to Dhaka after his HSC exams, hoping to prepare for university admission, but was allegedly abducted for ransom and later killed, police said.
Rakib was staying at a mess in East Shewrapara and attending a coaching centre in Farmgate. On September 16, he was called outside through a WhatsApp call but never returned.
According to police, Rakib became acquainted online with Abdullah Al Mamun alias Mamun Sarker, 24, shortly after arriving in Dhaka. Mamun allegedly called him to the area in front of Shewrapara Metro Rail Station on September 16 and took him to his home in Sukrabad.
Police said Mamun held Rakib hostage and demanded Tk15 lakh from his family. During a struggle, he allegedly twisted Rakib’s neck, causing his death.
Mamun then placed the body in a carton, sealed it with Scotch tape and took it by autorickshaw to Gabtoli bus terminal. He later travelled to Dimla in Nilphamari and buried the carton containing Rakib’s body in a pit in a betel nut orchard in front of his home on September 17, police said.
DMP Crime Prevention (North) Joint Commissioner Md Mahidul Islam disclosed the details at a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre on Wednesday.
Police said the family paid Tk4 lakh through four bKash and three Nagad numbers after receiving ransom demands and threats to kill Rakib.
Rakib’s elder brother, Johurul Islam Jibon, initially filed a general diary with Kafrul Police Station and later filed a case over the abduction and ransom demand.
Mahidul said police traced Mamun as the user of two WhatsApp numbers used to demand the ransom. He was arrested from the Sukrabad bus stand area in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on October 5.
During interrogation, Mamun reportedly confessed to taking Rakib to his home to collect the ransom and said Rakib died when he twisted his neck during a struggle.
Police recovered Rakib’s body from the spot indicated by Mamun in Dimla on Tuesday with the assistance of local police. His elder brother later identified the body.
The body was sent to Nilphamari Modern Sadar Hospital for autopsy.
Police also recovered Tk50,000 in cash, allegedly from the ransom money, from Mamun.
Mahidul said the investigation is underway to determine whether anyone else was involved and to examine the ransom transactions and other aspects of the case.