Police in Magura have claimed to have resolved the killing of a 16-year-old boy, Suman Molla, whose mutilated body was recovered from a banana plantation in Mirpara area of Magura municipality on 3 April, three days after he went missing.
At a press briefing held on Wednesday afternoon at the office of the Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Police Molla Azad Hossain said the victim was allegedly killed by a group of his acquaintances following a dispute over a mobile phone pawn arrangement.
According to the police, five individuals have been arrested in connection with the murder over the past few days with the assistance of information technology. On 5 April, three suspects were detained from Magura Sadar upazila: Mehnaj Hossain alias Jihad (24) from Mirpara, Juel Hossain (23) from Juitara village, and Md Shakib Sheikh (19). Based on information obtained from them, two further arrests were made: Tariqul Islam (26) from Siddhirganj in Narayanganj district, and Hridoy Hossain (28) from Kukila village in Magura Sadar. Police stated that Tariqul Islam is one of the principal figures in the incident.
Arrested suspects
| Name | Age | Address | Place of arrest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mehnaj Hossain alias Jihad | 24 | Mirpara, Magura Sadar | Magura |
| Juel Hossain | 23 | Juitara village | Magura |
| Md Shakib Sheikh | 19 | Magura Sadar | Magura |
| Tariqul Islam | 26 | Nischintapur, Magura Sadar | Siddhirganj, Narayanganj |
| Hridoy Hossain | 28 | Nischintapur, Magura Sadar | Kukila, Magura |
During the briefing, Superintendent of Police Molla Azad Hossain stated that Suman Molla had an ongoing dispute with the accused over a mobile phone that had been pledged. The confrontation escalated on 31 March at around 10 pm, when an argument broke out between the victim and the accused group.
Police further reported that the accused struck Suman on the head, rendering him unconscious. He was then tied to a tree and subjected to further assault. To ensure death, he was stabbed in multiple parts of his body, and his windpipe was subsequently cut. The body was later dumped in a nearby banana plantation, after which the perpetrators fled the scene.
Suman was reported missing on 31 March. On 2 April, his family lodged a complaint at Magura Sadar Police Station. On 3 April, police recovered his body from a banana grove adjacent to a fish enclosure owned by a local resident in the South Mirpara field area. Following the recovery, Suman’s grandmother, Jahanara, filed a murder case on 4 April against unidentified persons.
The deceased, Suman Molla, was the son of Shariful Islam of Mirpara area under Magura municipality and worked as a rickshaw puller.
Police added that the investigation suggests all individuals involved were acquaintances of the victim and of similar age. Preliminary findings indicate that several of them may have been involved in substance use, including cannabis and yaba. Some of the arrested individuals have reportedly admitted involvement in the incident during initial questioning.
Investigations are ongoing to determine whether additional individuals were involved. The accused are expected to be produced before the court as legal proceedings continue.