Gazipur has been rocked by a brutal murder after a local female entrepreneur, Rani Begum, 40, was fatally stabbed over a dispute involving outstanding payments. Police apprehended the prime suspect, former Chhatra League leader Ashik Islam, also known as Swapon, 27, late on Saturday night in connection with the incident.
Rani Begum, a resident of West Kalmeshwor in Gazipur city, originally hailed from Maijbag village under Ishwarganj Police Station in Mymensingh. She ran a clothing store named “Rani Fashion Gallery” located in Dulal Market and had been living in Gazipur on a rental basis for several years.
Ashik Islam, the son of local grocer Nazrul Islam, is a former general secretary of the Chhatra League’s Ward No. 35 branch under Gazipur City’s Gacha Police Station. At present, he is no longer active in any organisational activities.
According to police and local sources, Rani Begum not only ran her clothing business but had also been involved in lending money on interest in the area for a prolonged period. A longstanding dispute over unpaid debts had developed between Rani and Nazrul Islam and his son Ashik.
The confrontation escalated on Saturday morning around 8:00 am when Rani verbally abused Nazrul Islam over the debt issue. Witnesses report that Ashik, enraged by his father’s humiliation, attacked Rani with a sharp knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds. Her son, Hriday Mia, and local resident Osman Hossain rushed to intervene but were also injured in the attack before Ashik fled the scene.
Rani Begum was immediately taken to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital in Gazipur, but despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries later in the afternoon.
Following the incident, Hriday Mia filed a case against Ashik on Saturday night. In a targeted operation in the early hours of Sunday, police arrested Ashik from Valuka in Mymensingh and remanded him to jail through the court system.
Gazipur Metropolitan Chhatra League president Rohanuzzaman Shukkur demanded exemplary punishment if Ashik is found guilty, emphasising that the organisation does not condone criminal acts by former or current members.
Gacha Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Moniruzzaman, confirmed the arrest of the main suspect and stated that the investigation into the case is ongoing.
Incident Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Rani Begum, 40 |
| Residence | West Kalmeshwor, Gazipur (originally Maijbag, Ishwarganj, Mymensingh) |
| Occupation | Businesswoman, owner of “Rani Fashion Gallery” |
| Suspect | Ashik Islam alias Swapon, 27 |
| Relation to Victim | Son of local grocer, Nazrul Islam; former Chhatra League leader |
| Cause | Dispute over unpaid debts |
| Date & Time | Saturday morning, ~8:00 am |
| Location of Attack | Dulal Market, West Kalmeshwor, Gazipur |
| Injuries | Victim fatally stabbed; two others injured |
| Arrest | Suspect arrested from Valuka, Mymensingh, Saturday night |
| Current Status | Suspect in custody; investigation ongoing |
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through Gazipur, raising concerns about local security and the escalation of disputes into violent confrontations. Authorities have urged residents to report any threats or disputes promptly to prevent similar tragedies.