Police in Sylhet have successfully unravelled the grim circumstances surrounding the death of Borhan Uddin, also known as Shafi, a 59-year-old British expatriate. The investigation reached a breakthrough following the recovery of his charred remains from a marshland in Jakiganj, leading to the arrest of three suspects.
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A Fatal Dispute Over Property
According to judicial confessions provided by two of the detainees, the motive for the brutal killing was a dispute involving a motorcycle owned by the victim. Mr Uddin, originally from Jagannathpur in Sunamganj, resided in the Amberkhana area of Sylhet city during his visits to Bangladesh.
While living in the United Kingdom, Mr Uddin had entrusted his motorcycle to one of the suspects, Sabbir Ahmed, for maintenance and use. Upon his recent return to Bangladesh, the victim demanded the vehicle back, reportedly intending to gift or sell it to another individual. This request triggered a series of confrontations, culminating in a premeditated plot to eliminate the expatriate.
Chronology of the Crime
The investigation, spearheaded by the Sylhet District Detective Branch (DB), revealed that the suspects—Sabbir Ahmed, Syed Mehraj Uz Samad, and Tahirul Huq—had planned the murder as early as 25 January.
On 30 January, Mr Uddin left Sylhet on his motorcycle, purportedly headed for Kulaura. Instead, he was lured to the Konarband marshland in Jakiganj. There, the assailants launched a violent assault, striking him with their fists and a heavy motorcycle helmet. Once they realised he had succumbed to his injuries, the group set fire to his body in a desperate attempt to conceal the evidence and hinder identification.
Arrests and Legal Proceedings
The victim was initially reported missing at the Airport Police Station. On 3 February, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) identified the burnt remains found in the marsh as those of Mr Uddin. Following a formal murder case filed by the victim’s sister, Shah Asma Jahan, the Detective Branch utilised advanced technology to track and apprehend the suspects across different regions.
| Suspect Name | Age | Residence | Status |
| Sabbir Ahmed | 21 | Ilabaj, Jakiganj | Confessed in Court |
| Syed Mehraj Uz Samad | 20 | Osmaninagar, Sylhet | Confessed in Court |
| Tahirul Huq | 20 | Ghechua, Jakiganj | Under Custody |
Official Police Statement
Additional Superintendent of Police, Zakir Hossain, confirmed that the motorcycle has been recovered from the possession of Tahirul Huq. “This was initially a ‘clueless’ case,” he remarked. “Through meticulous digital forensics and investigation, we have uncovered the motive: a simple property dispute that turned into a calculated homicide. We are currently pursuing a fourth individual linked to the crime.”
The two primary suspects provided their statements under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure before the Jakiganj Assistant Judge’s Court on Saturday night, admitting to the assault and the subsequent attempt to dispose of the body.