Police have recovered the skeletal remains of a 19-year-old man who had been missing for 25 days in Fulbaria? Wait, the original says Phulpur Upazila in Mymensingh. The remains, along with a pair of trousers and a vest, were found in a jungle in Chandrapur village late on Sunday night. The victim’s father identified the remains from the clothing.
The deceased, Rashedul Islam, was a resident of Krishna Maheshpatti village in Phulpur. He used to work at a brick kiln with his father. However, after work became unavailable, he had been staying at home for around one and a half months. During that period, his association with three young men from a neighbouring area reportedly increased. He also worked with them at different locations as a day labourer.
Police have arrested three men in connection with the suspected killing. They are Jasim Uddin, 24, Rafique, 28, and Mozammel Hossain, 27. Investigators said the suspects had initially told police that Rashedul was strangled to death. The precise motive, however, has not yet been established.
According to police and Rashedul’s family, Jasim called Rashedul from his home at around 9pm on 12 August. Rashedul left after receiving the call but never returned. The following morning, a call was made to his father’s mobile phone from Rashedul’s number. A woman’s voice allegedly demanded Tk50,000 as ransom and gave the family two hours to arrange the money. Several calls and text messages were reportedly made afterwards.
Rashedul’s father, Mohammad Shahjahan, filed a general diary at Phulpur police station that same day. Jasim subsequently left the area. On 25 August, an abduction case was filed, naming Jasim as the principal accused and three to four unidentified people as additional suspects.
During the investigation, police arrested Jasim near Shyamganj railway station in Netrokona on Sunday afternoon. Based on information obtained from him, investigators later arrested Rafique and Mozammel from their local area.
Police then conducted a search at the ‘Garor Bhita’ area of Chandrapur village on Sunday night. Investigators found several bones, a skull and items of clothing scattered across the jungle. The trousers and vest were subsequently recognised by Shahjahan as those worn by his son.
Shahjahan told investigators that Rashedul, Rafique and Mozammel had worked together in a cucumber field several days before the disappearance. He alleged that Rafique received Tk500 as payment while Rashedul was given only Tk100. According to Shahjahan, a dispute later arose over the unpaid amount, particularly after Rashedul’s mobile phone was damaged. He alleged that the disagreement eventually led to the three men strangling Rashedul with a towel and leaving his body in the jungle.
Police are treating that account as an allegation while continuing to verify the circumstances. Investigating officer Sub-Inspector Zikrul Islam said the suspects had provided information indicating that Rashedul was strangled, but their accounts had varied during questioning. As a result, investigators have yet to determine conclusively why the young man was killed.
The recovered bones are due to be sent to the mortuary of Mymensingh Medical College for post-mortem examination and DNA testing. The scientific examination is expected to help establish the identity of the remains independently of the clothing-based identification and assist investigators in determining the circumstances surrounding Rashedul’s death.
The three arrested suspects are being questioned and are expected to be produced before the court after the completion of the initial interrogation. The investigation remains ongoing.
