Mystery of expat doctor murder case unearthed, 3 arrested
Police have arrested three people in separate raids in Khulna district and the Mohammadpur area of Dhaka, solving the mystery of the sensational murder case of Bangladeshi-born British citizen Dr. AKM Abdur Rashid.
The arrestees have been identified as Md. Naeem Khan (22), Md. Zahidur Rahman Rifat (20), and Md. Abu Taher Sikder, alias Shaon (22).
Hazaribagh Thana police arrested the trio in separate raids in Dumuria, Khulna, and Mohammadpur, Dhaka, on Friday. Police also seized a sharp knife used in the murder, based on information extracted from the detained Md. Naeem Khan, reports BSS.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ramna Division, Masud Alam, revealed the information during a press briefing held at the DMP media center on Saturday.
The victim, Dr. AKM Abdur Rashid, a British citizen of Bangladeshi origin, resided in the UK most of the year but visited Bangladesh occasionally.
Around 2:30 am on November 15, 2024, three to four unknown assailants entered the house of Dr. Rashid, located on the 2nd floor of House No. 294/1, Road No. 8/A, West Dhanmondi, under Hazaribagh Police Station.
Upon entering, the assailants confronted Dr. Rashid in a scuffle. When his wife, Sufia Rashid, attempted to intervene from the adjacent room, one of the attackers restrained her. At one point, the assailants stabbed Dr. Rashid in the chest multiple times with a sharp knife. He was seriously injured.
The assailants fled after Sufia screamed for help.
Critically injured, Dr. Rashid was rushed to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital in a bloody state, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.
The victim's cousin, Md. Rezaul Karim, filed a murder case with Hazaribagh Police Station on November 15, 2024.
During the investigation, the criminals involved in the murder were identified through CCTV camera footage analysis from the area, information collected from the victim's tenants, and intelligence data.
On Friday, Naeem Khan and Zahidur Rahman Rifat were arrested from Shahpur Bazar, Dumuria, Khulna.
Another team from Hazaribagh Police Station conducted a raid in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, at 03:30 am on Friday, arresting Abu Taher Sikder, alias Shaon.
According to information obtained from the detained individuals, Naeem Khan and Zahidur Rahman Rifat, who were living as tenants in the victim’s flat, had ongoing disputes with the victim’s wife over unpaid rent.
Naeem Khan and Zahidur Rahman Rifat planned to break into Dr. Rashid's house and steal money to fund a restaurant business. On November 15, 2024, they entered the house with Abu Taher Sikder by climbing over the boundary wall to rob the house.
At that time, Dr. Rashid, who had woken up to offer Tahajjud prayers, sensed the presence of the criminals. When he tried to stop them, the assailants scuffled with him. During the struggle, they critically stabbed him with a sharp knife and fled the scene."
