Businessman hacked to death in Ctg over 'extortion refusal', two held

A young businessman was hacked to death in Chattogram's Halishahar area last night (7 November), reportedly for refusing to pay extortion money.

However, Chattogram Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (West) Hossain Mohammad Kabir Bhuiyan said the killing initially appeared to have followed an altercation over blocking a motorcycle.

Police have arrested two suspects, including the prime accused Minhazul Islam, known locally as "Murder Sohel," and another man named Arman.

"The main accused, Sohel, and another person have been arrested. A case is being processed," he said, adding that police have not yet found evidence of extortion in the preliminary investigation.

"If extortion was indeed involved, it will come out during the course of the investigation," he added.

The deceased was identified as Md Akbar, 35, son of Abdur Rahman of Shapla Residential Area near the Chuna Factory.

The attack took place around 9pm when a group of local men, allegedly led by Sohel, assaulted Akbar with sharp weapons, according to his family.

Akbar's brother, Maruf, said Sohel and his associates came to demand extortion money from their younger brother.

"Not finding my younger brother, they began stabbing Akber indiscriminately. There were people around, but no one dared to intervene," he said.

After the attackers fled, locals later took Akbar to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Nurul Alam Ashiq, in charge of the hospital police outpost, confirmed the death and said the body was sent to the morgue for an autopsy.