Significant discrepancies have emerged between information provided by RAB and the police regarding the murder of Rangpur businessman Ashraful Haque. Based on the arrested Jarez’s statement, police claim that the killing resulted from a complex love triangle. Meanwhile, RAB states that, according to the arrested woman’s information, Ashraful was murdered as part of a plan to trap him in a romantic scheme and extort a large sum of money.
On Saturday (15 November), the DMP Detective Branch and RAB-3 held separate press conferences to present their findings.
Last Thursday (13 November) night, police recovered a dismembered body of 26 pieces from two blue drums near the gate of the National Eidgah beside the High Court. Fingerprint analysis later identified the victim as Ashraful Haque, a resident of Rangpur and a trader of raw materials.
Following the incident, Ashraful’s family filed a murder case at Shahbagh Police Station on Friday morning. That same day, RAB-3 arrested Jarez’s girlfriend from Laksam in Cumilla. Based on her information, evidence linked to the murder was also recovered. Meanwhile, the primary accused, Jarez, was arrested by the DMP Detective Branch. However, the two agencies have contradictory explanations regarding the motive behind the murder.
According to RAB, analysing the arrested woman’s statement, RAB-3 Commander Lt. Col. Faizul Arefin said that the murder stemmed from a plan to extort Tk 10 lakh through a romantic trap. As part of the plan, Ashraful was rendered unconscious, and Jarez—who was in a relationship with the woman—recorded an intimate video involving her and Ashraful. Later, instead of using it for blackmail, an intoxicated Jarez beat Ashraful with a hammer, causing his death.
On the other hand, DMP Detective Branch Additional Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam said that, based on Jarez’s information, the murder occurred due to a love triangle. Jarez and the woman were in a relationship, and when Jarez’s wife found out, she asked Ashraful to mediate. However, during his interactions with the woman, Ashraful himself became romantically involved.
He further stated that the three of them later moved into a rented flat in Dhaka to prepare for sending Jarez to Japan. There, Jarez saw Ashraful engaging in an illicit relationship with the woman, which led to conflict. Ashraful died from suffocation after being tied up. To cover up the incident, they dismembered the body into 26 pieces and dumped it near the High Court area.
SS