Solaiman Hossain Selim, previously reported dead in a murder case during the uprising in July–August 2024, has been found alive.
On August 3, 2024, his elder brother, Golam Mostufa (Mostu), filed a murder case with Jatrabari police station, claiming that Selim had been killed in a shootout near the Kazla petrol pump in the capital on the same day.
Selim is the son of the deceased Abdul Hakim of Dhamor village in Fulbaria upazila of Mymensingh.
Forty-one people, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, have been accused in that case.
Selim’s elder brother is the plaintiff in the case, while his two other brothers, Helal Uddin and Abul Hossain, were named as witnesses.
Selim’s wife, Hajera Khatun, alleged that his three brothers staged the entire incident with the intention of killing him.
She claimed they had attacked Selim previously as well, but he survived with the help of locals. In 2022, Selim filed a case against Helal Uddin, Abul Hossain, and several others in connection with that incident.
Later, when police from Mymensingh’s Fulbaria police station visited Selim’s home to verify his address, he was shocked to learn that a murder case had been filed listing him as the victim.
In a report published by BBC Bangla, Selim said: “What could be sadder than declaring someone dead while they are still alive? My own brothers are claiming I’m dead.”
Fearing for his life, Selim recently filed a general diary with the local police.
“They showed me as dead in the case—if they had the chance, they would’ve actually killed me,” he said.
“I became cautious once I realized what was happening. But why would the police accept and file such a false case? I’m being harassed. I’ve gone to Jatrabari police station and the Detective Branch office five times already. I’m struggling just to prove that I’m alive.”
Sources said that after their father, Abdul Hakim, passed away around 20 years ago, a land dispute broke out among the brothers. Since Selim is the father of two daughters, the other three brothers allegedly sought to take control of his share of the property.
Police have already investigated the matter and submitted a report.
Investigation into the incident revealed that the other three brothers were interested in his share of the property.
Regarding the matter, Md Solaiman Hossain Selim said: “Mostu is a known robber in the area and has been involved in several murder cases. Along with my other two brothers, he has become desperate to grab my share of the property. Since I don’t have a son, I had asked them to formally divide everything. Because of their constant harassment, I purchased 250 decimals of land in Dhamor’s Beltoli Bazar and started building a house and a shop there. I avoid going to my father’s house, as it always leads to conflict.”
He added that Mostu, now working as a bus driver in Dhaka, had misled him. Mostu, once destitute and accused in four criminal cases, including two for murder, has allegedly orchestrated the scheme against him.
Due to a family dispute, Selim’s brother filed a case falsely declaring him dead, said Mohammad Rukunuzzaman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Fulbaria police station.
He added: “Mostu is a known criminal in the area with two murder cases, one extortion case, and one case related to a fight against him. He has not been in the area for at least 15 years. However, he may have filed the fake case to gain government support and to take control of Selim’s property.”
The OC also said: “We have visited the scene and submitted a written report to Jatrabari police station. Appropriate action will be taken in this matter.”
Jatrabari and Fulbaria police stations have conducted a preliminary investigation into the Selim murder case in Fulbaria upazila of Mymensingh. The case is currently under investigation by the DB.
The plaintiff in the case is currently absconding. It is also learnt that a DNA test will be conducted to confirm Selim’s identity.
The investigation officer of the case, Sub-Inspector Aminul Islam of the Wari division of the Detective Branch (DB), said: “Selim is not dead. The DNA test will be conducted by presenting the two brothers face to face in court. I am the third investigation officer in the case. So far, one accused has been arrested in this case. I am trying to complete the investigation of the case quickly. Golam Mostafa is absconding as he has another case against him. The mobile number given by him in the case is also being switched off.”
