Tahsif Souri, a former Bangladesh Air Force officer, was reportedly chased by a group of people shortly before he jumped into the Turag River, where his body was later recovered, according to a statement given to investigators by a friend.
Shahriar Dip, a friend of Tahsif, made the statement during questioning by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), which is conducting a parallel investigation alongside the Naval Police into Tahsif's death.
Dip's latest account differs from earlier statement
Earlier, on Thursday, Dip told journalists that he and Tahsif had gone to a garage together. He said they separated after having dinner in the House Building area of Uttara.
Dip also said that after returning home, he called Tahsif but found his mobile phone switched off. PBI officials are now trying to establish why his earlier account differs from the information he provided during questioning.
A PBI official holding the rank of superintendent of police said Dip told investigators: “We were talking there (at the scene). At that time, some people chased us. Tahsif bhai jumped into the river, and I ran away.”
The official said Dip's statement, along with other information obtained during questioning, was being verified.
PBI examines Dip's account and possible involvement
On Friday, the PBI confirmed that Dip had been questioned. He was taken from his residence on Babar Road in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, to the PBI's Dhaka Metro North office on Thursday night.
The PBI official said investigators had conducted overnight operations at several locations with Dip to verify his account.
PBI chief Additional Inspector General of Police Mustafa Kamal said: “After taking Dip into custody, we have obtained several pieces of information.”
However, the PBI has not clarified whether Dip has been formally arrested.
Dip had spent around 6 hours with Tahsif before he went missing. Investigators are examining his account and trying to establish whether he was involved in Tahsif's disappearance and subsequent death.
The PBI said Dip's statements and the information he provided were being verified through on-site investigations and technological analysis.
Family suspects murder as body is recovered
On October 28, at around 4:30pm, Tongi River Police recovered Tahsif's floating body from the Rajabari Ghat area of the Turag River. His identity was confirmed through an iPhone and a wristwatch found near the body.
Tahsif's father, KM Enayetul Karim, suspects that his son was murdered. He said Tahsif had spent the entire day on October 27 shopping for his family before leaving home in the evening.
At 1:35am, Tahsif sent a text message to his mother saying: “Mum, I am coming.” His phone has remained switched off since then.
At around 5:15am, the family received news from police that his body had been recovered.
Tahsif's father said his son had never visited the Rajabari Ghat area before.
Meanwhile, no family members were found at Dip's residence on Babar Road. Security personnel responsible for the house said Dip was a student and that they knew little about his friendship with Tahsif.
They also said Dip returned home at around 2:30am on the night of the incident.