The investigation into the cold-blooded assassination of Rana Pratap Bairagi, a 38-year-old ice-factory owner in Jashore, has taken a sensational turn. On Tuesday afternoon, Monirampur Police confirmed the detention of the victim’s girlfriend, Jhumur Mondal, as a primary suspect in what investigators believe may have been a coordinated “honey trap” or a business-related “hit”.
The victim’s father, Tushar Kanti Bairagi, has officially lodged a murder case against several unidentified assailants. While the grief-stricken family maintains that Rana was a peaceful businessman with a prestigious postgraduate degree in English, his violent death in a secluded alleyway has exposed a web of professional jealousy and personal betrayal.
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The Fatal Sequence: A Set-up?
According to witness statements and the victim’s father, the events of Monday evening unfolded with suspicious precision. Rana was at his ice factory in Kapalia Bazaar when Jhumur, who works at a local beauty parlour, arrived to meet him.
The Meeting: Jhumur visited Rana at his factory and left after a brief conversation.
The Arrival: Minutes later, two unidentified men on a motorcycle arrived and spoke with Rana.
The Ambush: Rana left his factory on foot, reportedly heading toward Jhumur’s workplace. He was intercepted in a narrow lane and hacked to death by assassins who fled on a motorbike.
Business Rivalry and Contract Killers
While the detention of Jhumur focuses on her role in luring Rana to the alley, his wife, Seema Bairagi, has pointed to a “turf war” over ice production. She alleges that a rival factory owner had been orchestrating a campaign of intimidation for months.
“My husband knew he was being followed. The owner of a competing ice plant viewed our business as a threat and had previously sought to hire contract killers. He couldn’t beat Rana in business, so he chose to eliminate him,” Seema claimed.
Case Profile: Rana Pratap Bairagi Murder
| Category | Details of the Case |
| Victim Education | MA in English (Bagerhat Govt. College) |
| Occupation | Owner of Ice-Production Plant, Kapalia Bazaar |
| Suspect Detained | Jhumur Mondal (Associate/Girlfriend) |
| Weapon Used | Sharp cutting instruments (Machetes) |
| Escape Vehicle | Unidentified black motorcycle |
| Current Status | Post-mortem complete; suspect in police custody |
Investigative Focus
Officer-in-Charge Rajiullah Khan stated that the police are currently conducting a forensic audit of the victim’s mobile phone. They are specifically looking for communication between Jhumur and the motorcycle-borne killers in the hours leading up to the attack.
The body of the deceased was returned to the family on Tuesday afternoon. Investigators are now tasked with determining if Jhumur was an active participant in a “honey trap” or if she was coerced by the rival business faction mentioned by the victim’s wife.