Ex-Jubo Dal leader, driver detained over killing of fuel station worker after payment dispute
Ripon’s body was found lying on Dhaka–Khulna highway with his head and face crushed, the OC said.
Police yesterday (16 January) detained a former Jubo Dal leader and his driver in connection with the killing of a filling station worker in Rajbari Sadar upazila, after the employee was crushed to death while reportedly trying to stop a vehicle from leaving without paying for fuel earlier that day.
The detainees are Abul Hashem Sujan, the owner of the vehicle involved in the incident, and driver Kamal Hossain. Sujan is the former president of Rajbari district unit of Jubo Dal and a contractor by profession.
Police said both men were detained after CCTV footage and witness accounts linked their vehicle to the death of Ripon Saha, 30, at Karim Filling Station at Goalanda Mor.
Md Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Ahladipur Highway Police Station, said the car was leaving the station without payment when Ripon ran after it. Another pump worker also followed.
"Ripon's body was found lying on Dhaka–Khulna highway with his head and face crushed," the OC said. The body was later sent to Rajbari Sadar Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination.
CCTV footage from the station shows a black Land Cruiser jeep arriving at 4:30am. Ripon and Abul Hashem are seen standing beside the vehicle. After a short while, Abul Hashem entered the car without settling the bill. As the vehicle started moving, Ripon gave chase.
Following Ripon's death, some media reports identified Sujan as the Rajbari district Jubo Dal president. However, District BNP Convener Khairul Anam Bakul clarified that Sujan resigned long ago and is no longer associated with the organisation.
