Suspected killer of Dinajpur 'Pir', his house help arrested from Kurhigram: RAB

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) says it has arrested the suspected killer of Dinajpur ‘Pir’ Farhad Hossain Chowdhury and his female house help.

Rangpur Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 20 March 2017, 07:04 AM
Updated : 20 March 2017, 07:37 AM

Shafiqul Islam Babu, one of the followers of the slain 'Pir' was arrested on Monday morning from Kurhigram, said Ranpur-based RAB-13 chief ATM Atikulyah.

The 28-year-old hails from Dinajpur's Bochaganj Upazila, where the 'Pir' was based.

Seventy-two-year-old ‘Pir’ Farhad and his house help 22-year-old Rupali Begum were found murdered on March 13 at Chowdhury's house 'Dawla Darbar Sharif' at Bochaganj Upazila town.

Two days later, police arrested another self-styled ‘Pir’ Ishaq Ali from Kurhigram, Farhad’s attendant Sayedul Islam and one Samar Ali, a follower of Farhad.

Senior RAB officer Atikulyah told the media on Monday that Ishaq used to live at Babu's place, whenever he came to Dinajpur.

"It was at Babu's home where they planned the killing. Five persons, including Babu were involved in the killing.

Kurhigran 'Pir' Ishaq promised Babu of rewards if he could kill Farhad," he said.

Dinajpur police said on Friday that Ishaq and Farhad’s attendant Sayedul admitted to the killings.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamidul Alam told a media briefing that 'Pir' Ishaq is said to be the spiritual leader of Farhad but the two had fallen apart.

“Rivalry caused by ideological differences between the two led to the murder,” he said adding “the murder conspiracy was hatched on Mar 12 at the audience chamber of Ishaq Ali in Kurhigram".

“Seven people took part in the murder … the victims were suffocated with pillows and then shot,” SP Alam said quoting confessional statements recorded by a judicial magistrate.

About the rivalry between the two, the Dinajpur police chief said: “Ishaq Ali contested the 2008 UP election in his area and asked Farhad for some funds who not only declined but opposed backing him  in the election.”