Four arrested over killing of Uber driver lured by honeytrap gang

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has claimed to have solved the murder of an Uber driver whose sack-wrapped body was recovered from the Turag River in Dhaka's Southkhan on 1 June.

A honeytrap gang, allegedly led by a dismissed army member, lured the driver, Md Lokman Sardar, 38, in a bid to steal his private car, said PBI Dhaka Metro North Additional Deputy Inspector General Md Enayet Hossain Mannan at a briefing held today (6 June).

Four people have been arrested in the case, including the principal accused, dismissed army member Md SM Salman, 29. The others are Md Adib Islam, 19, Jannatul Ferdous Mim alias Arnaba Mim, 21, and Md Sabuj Mia, 35.

Enayet disclosed the details at a briefing at the PBI Dhaka Metro North office in Agargaon's 60 Feet area.

A murder case was filed with Southkhan Police Station on 2 June under sections 302, 201 and 34 of the Penal Code.

According to PBI, members of the gang first hired Lokman's car on the night of 26 May. Salman, Mim and another member went to the Concord Tower area of Lake City. Two of them got off there, while Mim took the car to Savar.

The car was hired for Tk2,500 on condition that it would go to Savar, pick up a passenger and return, PBI said. After the trip, the gang planned to steal the vehicle.

PBI said the gang tried to call Lokman the day before Eid-ul-Adha, but he could not come as he was busy.

Later, around midnight on 30 May, Mim allegedly called Lokman to Pakhir Bazar by offering to spend personal time with him.

When Lokman arrived, other members of the gang assaulted him. They then falsely accused him of taking Tk1.75 lakh and two bhori of gold from Mim on the day she had gone to Savar, according to PBI.

Investigators said Lokman, under assault, contacted several people and managed to collect Tk10,000. The gang also took the money he had with him.

PBI said Lokman died from the assault. The gang later put his body in a sack and dumped it in the Turag River.

The stolen private car was recovered from Gacha in Gazipur.

PBI said Salman and Adib were arrested from Cox's Bazar Sadar, Mim from East Namapara in Khilkhet, and Sabuj from Pakhir Bazar Mazar slum under Tongi West Police Station.

Among the arrestees, Salman gave a confessional statement before a court under Section 164, PBI said.

Enayet said Salman had once served in the Army but was dismissed for various offences. After dismissal, he became involved in criminal activities.

He said Mim and Salman used to rent flats in different areas of Dhaka identifying themselves as husband and wife, although they were not married.

Responding to a question, Enayet said the gang, led by Salman, had been involved in fraudulent activities using honeytraps. Several cases had been filed against them earlier, he added.