Two Arrested Over Begumganj Extortion Murder

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the brutal killing of a 23-year-old man in Begumganj, Noakhali, in a case investigators say stemmed from an alleged extortion demand linked to a building construction project.

The arrests were confirmed on Sunday afternoon by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-11, CPC-3, Noakhali. Company Commander and Additional Superintendent of Police Md Muhit Kabir Serniabat said the suspects had been detained earlier on Saturday at around 12:45 pm during separate operations in the Rampura and Badda areas of the capital.

The arrested men have been identified as Suman, son of Rafique, and Piyas, son of Ali Ahmed, both residents of Khanpur village under Sharifpur Union in Begumganj upazila.

The victim, Zobayer Hossain, also known as Rakib, was the son of Saudi expatriate Md Hanif. According to investigators, he had been employed at various shopping centres in Dhaka and Noakhali and regularly travelled between the two districts for work.

RAB officials said the dispute originated from the construction of a five-storey building on jointly owned land belonging to Rakib’s father and uncle in Khanpur village. During the course of the project, the accused allegedly demanded Tk 2 million from Rakib as extortion money. When he refused to arrange or pay the amount, tensions reportedly escalated, leading to repeated arguments between the parties.

Investigators believe the attack that followed was premeditated.

On the night of 30 May, while Rakib was returning home, he was allegedly ambushed near Pakmunshirhat in Sharifpur Union. According to RAB, the attackers first assaulted him indiscriminately with iron rods before inflicting multiple wounds with sharp weapons, leaving him critically injured.

Local residents rushed to the scene and transported him to the 250-bed Noakhali General Hospital. Despite their efforts, the attending physician declared him dead shortly after his arrival.

Following the killing, Rakib’s mother filed a murder case with Begumganj Police Station, naming those believed to be involved in the attack. The investigation subsequently continued with law enforcement agencies working to trace the suspects.

RAB stated that intelligence gathering and coordinated operations eventually led officers to the Rampura and Badda areas of Dhaka, where the two accused were arrested.

Company Commander Md Muhit Kabir Serniabat said the detainees had been handed over to Hatirjheel Police Station in Dhaka to facilitate the next stage of legal proceedings. They are expected to be produced before the appropriate court as the investigation into the murder continues.

The case remains under investigation, and authorities have indicated that further legal action will proceed in accordance with the evidence collected during the inquiry.