In a shocking development surrounding the brutal murder of college student Rakibul Islam Rakib at the central Shaheed Minar, two of the four accused have admitted their involvement in court, while authorities have secured a five-day remand for the remaining suspects to facilitate further interrogation.
The four accused—Golam Rasul Shihab, Sagar Kabir, Rafin Sheikh, and Shahriar Nazim Joy—are currently under investigation, with arrests and confessional statements being formally processed. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Kamal Uddin presided over the hearing on Wednesday (18 March), approving both the recording of confessions and the remand request made by the investigation officer. The case is being handled by SI Md. Mithu Sarkar of Shahbagh Police Station, who confirmed the court proceedings.
According to the officer, Shihab was arrested near Shaheed Minar
Rakib, a 25-year-old second-year undergraduate at Sheikh Borhanuddin College, was attacked on the evening of 17 March. His father, Tarikul Islam Khokon, a staff member at University of Dhaka, filed the case at Shahbagh Police Station. Reports indicate that Rakib was first shot and then stabbed multiple times by five to six assailants. He was rescued by passersby and rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The following table summarises the key events:
| Date & Time | Event | Location | Preliminary Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 March, 20:30 | Rakib attacked with gun and knife | Shaheed Minar, Dhaka | Victim left bleeding on street; 5–6 attackers involved |
| 18 March | Court hearing, confessions recorded | Dhaka | Shihab & Sagar confess; Rafin & Joy remanded |
| 18 March | Remand requested for further investigation | Dhaka | Recovery of weapons; identification of fugitive suspects |
Authorities have emphasised that operations to apprehend the remaining fugitives continue and that the legal process will proceed to fully uncover the circumstances surrounding this brutal killing.