The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has confirmed that three suspects arrested in the murder case of Khokon Chandra Das, a prominent businessman from Damudya in Shariatpur, have admitted their involvement in the incident. This announcement was made by Commander Shahadat Hossain, head of RAB-8, during a press briefing at the RAB-8 camp in Madaripur on Sunday evening.
According to RAB, leveraging advanced technology and intelligence, the trio was apprehended at around 1:00 a.m. on Saturday in the Bajitpur area of Kishoreganj. The suspects, all from the Koneshwar area of Damudya, are identified as follows:
| Name | Age | Area | Status in Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sohag Khan | 28 | Koneshwar, Damudya | Named in FIR; Arrested |
| Rabbi Molla | 24 | Koneshwar, Damudya | Named in FIR; Arrested |
| Palash Sardar | 25 | Koneshwar, Damudya | Named in FIR; Arrested |
The suspects were transferred from Kishoreganj to the RAB-8 camp in Madaripur on Sunday evening. Commander Shahadat Hossain stated that all three confessed during preliminary questioning that they had participated in the killing of Khokon Chandra.
Details provided by the suspects reveal that on the night of 31 December, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Khokon Chandra was returning home in a CNG-run auto-rickshaw carrying his business earnings in a bag. Upon reaching near the Tiloi Bepari Bari Mosque, he disembarked from the vehicle. It was at this location that Sohag Khan, Rabbi Molla, and Palash Sardar, armed with local weapons and knives, confronted him. They forcibly snatched the bag and launched a brutal attack, stabbing him repeatedly. When Khokon recognised his attackers, they attempted to kill him by pouring petrol over his body and setting him alight.
Following the assault, a case of attempted robbery and murder was filed at Damudya Police Station. The accused fled and went into hiding. RAB-8 initiated a covert investigation, and with assistance from RAB-14, the whereabouts of the suspects were traced, culminating in their arrest.
Khokon Chandra sustained severe injuries in Tiloi, Koneshwar Union, and was initially taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital. He was later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and admitted to the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute. Despite intensive treatment, he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday morning.
Prior to his death, Khokon reportedly identified Sohag Khan and Rabbi Molla as assailants. The police investigation subsequently identified Palash Sardar as an accomplice. Following his death, the case has been officially upgraded to a murder investigation.
Commander Shahadat emphasised that RAB’s proactive surveillance and technological support were pivotal in apprehending the suspects, and the investigation into any potential accomplices is ongoing.