Police in Cumilla’s Laksam upazila have arrested a man accused of murdering an autorickshaw driver in a calculated killing case that has shocked the local community, after the victim’s body was earlier discovered inside the toilet of a mosque complex in Srioang village.
The arrested suspect has been identified as Habibur Rahman Sabuj (31), a resident of Maindargao village under Baisgaon Union in Monohorgonj upazila. He was detained during a targeted operation carried out in the Dhendabor area under Ashulia police station in Dhaka district, following an extended intelligence-led investigation.
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Body Recovered from Mosque Premises
The case came to light after the body of autorickshaw driver Morshed was found inside the toilet of the Miajibari Jame Mosque complex in Srioang village under Laksam upazila. The discovery caused widespread alarm in the area, with residents expressing shock over the brutal nature of the crime and the use of a religious site compound as a dumping ground.
Police later confirmed that the victim had been killed elsewhere before his body was transported and left at the mosque premises in an apparent attempt to conceal evidence and mislead investigators.
Alleged Pre-Planned Murder Scheme
According to Sub-Inspector Mongchay Marma of Laksam Police Station, the victim was allegedly lured under the pretence of a routine hired trip.
On the morning of 22 March at around 6:00 am, the suspect reportedly contacted Morshed via mobile phone and asked him to arrive at Pomgaon Bazar. Once there, Habibur Rahman Sabuj hired the autorickshaw for a full-day journey, agreeing to pay a fare of BDT 1,500.
Investigators stated that the accused and the driver travelled across multiple locations throughout the day, including Bernaia Bazar, Lokshonpur Bazar, and Monohorgonj Bazar. Police believe this extended movement was deliberate, intended to avoid suspicion while the accused executed his plan.
Later, when the vehicle reached the Srioang village area near the Miajibari mosque, the suspect allegedly strangled the driver using a towel (locally known as a gamcha), killing him instantly. The body was then transported into the mosque toilet and abandoned.
Family Files Murder Case
Following the recovery of the body, the victim’s father, Mostafa Kamal Khondkar, lodged a murder case at Laksam Police Station against unknown persons.
The case triggered an immediate and coordinated investigation involving local police units and district intelligence teams.
Digital Forensics and CCTV Analysis
Under the supervision of Cumilla Superintendent of Police Md Anisuzzaman, investigators adopted a technology-driven approach to trace the suspect.
Police examined CCTV footage from several key locations, including Pomgaon Bazar and connecting road networks used during the journey. These recordings helped reconstruct the movement of the autorickshaw and identify inconsistencies that pointed towards the suspect.
In addition, mobile phone tracking and route analysis were used to further narrow down the suspect’s location, significantly accelerating the investigation.
Arrest Following Nationwide Manhunt
Acting on intelligence inputs, a specialised police team led by Sub-Inspector Mongchay Marma conducted a raid on Saturday (28 March) in the Dhendabor area of Ashulia in Dhaka district, where Habibur Rahman Sabuj was apprehended.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect had been evading capture since the incident but was eventually located through sustained surveillance and coordinated field operations.
Case Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Morshed (Autorickshaw driver) |
| Incident location | Miajibari Mosque area, Srioang village, Laksam |
| Date of incident | 22 March |
| Alleged method | Strangulation using towel (gamcha) |
| Suspect arrested | Habibur Rahman Sabuj (31) |
| Arrest location | Dhendabor, Ashulia, Dhaka |
| Arrest date | 28 March |
| Investigating officer | Sub-Inspector Mongchay Marma |
Ongoing Investigation
Police have confirmed that interrogation of the arrested suspect is continuing to determine the full circumstances of the killing, including the possible motive and whether additional individuals were involved in the crime.
Authorities have also stated that all aspects of the suspect’s movements before and after the incident are under detailed scrutiny.
The case has left the Laksam community deeply unsettled, particularly due to the calculated manner in which the victim was allegedly deceived, killed, and then disposed of at a mosque premises in what appears to have been a premeditated act.