Love triangle dispute behind Qatar expatriate's killing: RAB

A dispute over overlapping relationships involving Qatar expatriate Sifat Ullah, his girlfriend and another man led to his killing in the capital's Madartek Adarshapara Baraitola area, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has said.

Three people have so far been arrested in connection with the killing. RAB-3 arrested Al Amin Hossain Joy, 27, the prime accused, and Md Sajidul Islam Sajid, 24, while police later showed Sifat's girlfriend, Nazifa Sheikh Neha, 23, arrested in the case, RAB-3 Commander Lt Col Fayezul Arefin said at a briefing at the force's Shahjahanpur headquarters today (7 September).

According to RAB, Sifat had returned from Qatar around six weeks ago and had been in a relationship with Neha for a long time.

Sajid had also been in a relationship with Neha for more than four years but was unaware of her relationship with Sifat, RAB said. He learnt about it at Neha's birthday celebration on 25 August, after which his relationship with her ended.

Joy, meanwhile, had known Neha since their school days. RAB said he was known in the area as a local "boro bhai" and alleged that he sometimes visited Neha's room with friends to take drugs.

Sifat learnt about the visits and asked them not to come to the room, creating resentment between them, according to RAB.

Neha had rented a sublet room in Madartek Baraitola to run an online business.

At around 3pm yesterday (6 September), Sifat went there on his motorcycle to meet her. RAB said Joy's associates Yasin, Anik, Tuhin and Raju, along with several others, later arrived at the house, while Joy remained downstairs.

An argument and scuffle broke out between Sifat and the group inside the room, leaving Yasin and Raju injured, RAB said.

The group then went downstairs, followed by Sifat, who tried to leave the area on his motorcycle.

RAB said Joy's associates threw bricks at Sifat from behind, causing him to fall. Joy then allegedly struck him hard on the head with a stick, while others attacked him with sharp weapons. His motorcycle was also vandalised.

Local residents took the critically injured Sifat to Mugda Medical College Hospital. As his condition worsened, he was transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment.

Sifat's family later filed a murder case with Sabujbagh Police Station.

RAB arrested Sajid at around 2am today from the Hajibari Balurpar area of Khilgaon. Based on information obtained from him, Joy was arrested at around 5am from the Shekher Jayga Bazar area under Khilgaon Police Station.

RAB said Joy was directly involved in Sifat's killing, while Sajid, the second accused in the case, was arrested after his alleged involvement was identified through digital investigation. The force said they were all part of the same circle of friends.

Sabujbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam said Neha had been taken into police custody after the incident. She was later shown arrested after the case was filed and police found evidence of her alleged involvement.