A newly arrested suspect in the Ajmul murder case has told the Special Response Battalion (SRB) that the victim was tortured and forced to confess to stealing rice, a mobile phone and money, with a video recorded during the interrogation.
Sheikh Asif Hossain, a former Khulna University student, also told SRB-6 that Ajmul fell to the ground after slipping while attempting to jump from the fourth-floor roof to the third floor to escape those assaulting him, according to the battalion.
SRB-6 Commander Lt Col Nistar Ahmed said Asif was arrested in Bhatiyapara, Gopalganj. He is the son of Sheikh Miraj of Sanatankati village in Paikgacha upazila, Khulna.
After preliminary interrogation, Asif was handed over to Harintana police station under Khulna Metropolitan Police for further legal action.
According to the SRB commander, Asif had secured a job at a private bank and was scheduled to join on September 20, but went into hiding after Ajmul’s death on the night of September 18.
During interrogation, Asif said he had gone to the building on Friday night to meet classmates from his university batch. He was present when Ajmul was allegedly beaten inside a room.
He said Ajmul was later taken to the fourth-floor roof and assaulted. Those present allegedly tried to force him to confess to stealing rice, a mobile phone and money, while several people recorded videos of his statements.
According to Asif’s account, Ajmul was subsequently threatened with being handed over to police. Fearing arrest, Ajmul attempted to jump from the fourth floor to the third floor but slipped and fell to the ground, sustaining serious injuries. He later died after being taken to hospital.
Asif also told the SRB that mess manager Mehedi and Habib Hasnat Rifat, a cash officer at Krishi Bank’s Town Noapara branch, were directly involved in the incident. He alleged that Rifat played a significant role in beating Ajmul, but said there was no intention to kill him.
He also identified Tarek, alias Rubel, owner of Ma-Babar Doa Tanha Juice Corner in front of Khaja Hall, as another person who physically assaulted Ajmul.
Harintana police station Officer-in-Charge Md Iqbal Hossain said four people have been arrested in connection with the case since the night of September 18.
The arrested suspects include three former Khulna University students and a juice shop owner, he said.
Iqbal said Rifat gave a confessional statement before a court under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure on September 22, followed by Pratap and Rubel on September 23.
He said the suspects provided information during police interrogation, which is being reviewed and verified. Asif is scheduled to be produced before a court on September 24 and may also give a voluntary statement.
The OC said further information could emerge if mess manager Mehedi is arrested.
Ajmul, a first-year English student at North Western University, was allegedly beaten at a four-storey building on Islamnagar Road, near Khulna University’s Hall Road, on the night of September 18 over allegations of stealing rice.
He subsequently fell from the building and died. His relatives have alleged that he was beaten to death.
On September 19, Ajmul’s father, Kutubuddin, filed a murder case with Harintana police station, naming four Khulna University students and accusing 20-25 unidentified people.
Four people have so far been arrested in connection with the case.
