Top Comilla murder suspect in New York with PM Hasina's UNGA tour party

A politician being investigated by police for his suspected links with the murder of a Bangladesh Chhatra League leader in Comilla has been seen with the prime minister's entourage in the US.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 22 Sept 2016, 08:33 PM
Updated : 22 Sept 2016, 09:29 PM

FBCCI Director Masud Parvez Khan Imran is the prime accused in the case and a member of the executive council of the Comilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry which he had once headed.

Imran (2nd from left) with FBCCI President Abdul Matlub Ahmad (3rd from right) and others in New York.

His father Afzal Khan, an influential leader of Awami League in Comilla, heads Comilla Chamber now.

Imran and his brother Nasrullah Arman Khan were accused in a case over the murder of Saiful Islam, president of BCL's Comilla city unit, in April last year.

"Imran is the number one accused in the case," Kotwali Police Station OC Abdur Rab told bdnews24.com.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is investigating the Chhatra League leader's murder.

BCL President Saifur Rahman Sohag and General Secretary SM Jakir Hossain in New York with Imran, accused of killing a leader of the organisation.

Imran delivering speech at a programme of the US-Bangla Global Chamber of Commerce in New York.

Witnesses said Imran was in the audience of UN General Assembly. He entered the gallery holding a card that identifies him as a Bangladesh representative. He was also seen in some ussies taken in the conference room.

Former BCL leader Atiqur Rahman Pintu, another accused in Saiful murder case, was also spotted with Imran in New York.

Saiful was known to be a supporter of Afzal's rival, AKM Bahauddin Bahar, MP.

The card which Imran used to enter the UNGA.

Imran's selfie at the UNGA during Sheikh Hasina's speech

Asked about Imran's activities, Bahar told bdnews24.com neither Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina nor her son and ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy had knowledge of Imran's New York trip.

"Neither the leader (Hasina) nor Sajeeb Wazed Joy knows about his (Imran's) record. People of Comilla know it," he said.

"The leader doesn't ride Air Force One (aircraft specially designed and used for the US president). He (Imran) might have boarded the plane (as anyone can get on board a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight that transported Hasina)," he added.

Imran posted this photo taken in New York on his Facebook wall.

Imran posted this photo taken in New York on his Facebook wall.

The CID official investigating the case did not respond to phone calls from bdnews24.com for comments on Imran leaving the country.

Saiful was stabbed to death during a programme of Comilla BCL on Apr 11 last year near the programme venue.

Murdered BCL leader Saiful Islam.

A screenshot of Imran's post on his Facebook wall before the New York trip.

Imran was among 22 named in the case started by Comilla Swechchhasebak League Convenor Zahirul Islam Rintu over the murder.

This is not the only case that Imran stands accused of. Among the several other cases against him, he has secured bail in an arms case and in another over abduction.

Controversial Awami League leader Afzal's son is a member of the Working Committee of the party's Comilla district unit.

Imran posted this photo taken in New York on his Facebook wall.

Imran posted this photo taken in New York on his Facebook wall.

Afzal fought the mayoral election on the Awami League ticket but lost.

Imran contested as an independent candidate in parliamentary elections when his father failed to secure Awami League nomination.

Bahar won the ruling party's nomination and subsequently the election.