Police in Bangladesh’s Bhola district have arrested three men, including the principal suspect, in connection with the brutal killing of an auto-rickshaw driver and the subsequent theft of his vehicle in Lalmohan upazila. A sharp knife believed to have been used in the murder and four mobile phones were recovered during the operation, authorities confirmed at a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon.
According to Bhola Superintendent of Police Shahidullah Kawsar, the victim, Abu Bakar Siddiq, aged 51, earned his livelihood as an electric auto-rickshaw (locally known as a Borak or easybike) driver. On the night of 30 December 2025, several individuals hired his vehicle from the Charfassion municipal bus terminal, claiming they wished to travel to Gajaria Bazar in Lalmohan. What appeared to be a routine fare turned into a fatal ambush.
At approximately 9:30 pm, when the vehicle reached the Kachuakhali area under Paschim Char Umed Union of Lalmohan Police Station, the passengers allegedly launched a premeditated attack. Police say Abu Bakar Siddiq was stabbed in the chest with a sharp knife, causing fatal injuries. The assailants then fled the scene with his blue-coloured easybike. The driver died on the spot before any assistance could arrive.
Following reports from local residents, Lalmohan police rushed to the location, completed initial inquest procedures and sent the body to Bhola Sadar Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination. Subsequently, the victim’s son, Sultan Al Badi, filed a case at Lalmohan Police Station on charges of murder and robbery.
Acting on directives from the district police chief, a special investigation team was formed under the leadership of Additional Superintendent of Police (Lalmohan Circle) Satyajit Kumar Ghosh. Using technological surveillance and intelligence-led policing, officers arrested the main suspect, Mohammad Ibrahim (36), on 6 January. During interrogation, Ibrahim confessed to his involvement and later gave a confessional statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure before a court.
Based on information provided by Ibrahim, police arrested two additional suspects—Mohammad Raja (32) and Kazi Tarek (35). Investigators recovered the murder weapon and four mobile phones from their possession. Police sources stated that all three detainees are active members of an inter-district robbery gang. Notably, Mohammad Raja has a criminal record, with multiple cases of murder and robbery registered against him at Savar and Mohammadpur police stations in Dhaka.
Summary of Arrested Suspects :
| Name | Age | Role in Crime | Criminal Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Ibrahim | 36 | Principal suspect | Confessed under Section 164 |
| Mohammad Raja | 32 | Accomplice | Multiple murder and robbery cases |
| Kazi Tarek | 35 | Accomplice | Member of inter-district gang |
Police have confirmed that operations are ongoing to arrest remaining fugitives and recover the stolen easybike. Law enforcement officials stressed that the case underscores the dangers faced by transport workers and reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling organised robbery networks operating across district boundaries.