Son arrested in Sylhet over AL leader's murder

Police have arrested Asad Ahmed, son of Awami League leader Abdur Razzak, in connection with his father's murder in Dakshin Surma, Sylhet.

As the family did not file a case over the incident, police themselves lodged a murder case, naming Asad as a suspect. He was produced before a court this afternoon, where police sought a five-day remand. The hearing, however, did not take place that day.

Confirming the matter, Sylhet Metropolitan Police Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Md Saiful Islam said that despite waiting until evening, no case was filed by the family.

Later, Sub-Inspector (SI) Anwarul Kamal of Dakshin Surma Police Station filed the case as the complainant against unnamed accused, mentioning the son and several other family members as "suspects."

"The deceased's son has been sent to jail through the court in connection with the murder case," ADC Saiful said. "We have applied for a five-day remand for further interrogation."

Police recovered Abdur Razzak's bloodied body from his home on Friday morning. He was the vice-president of the Dakshin Surma Upazila Awami League and a former general secretary of the Dakshin Surma Upazila Sports Association.

ADC Saiful said Asad had been detained on suspicion on Friday and that "some clues" were found during interrogation.

Earlier, quoting family members, police said Razzak had gone to the roof for a walk after Fajr prayers on Friday. Around 9am, family members discovered his blood-stained body near the staircase and informed police.

Relatives said CCTV footage did not show anyone entering or leaving the house, the main gate was locked, and there were no known family disputes.

They also said Razzak's mental health had deteriorated following the fall of the Awami League government, for which he had sought treatment in India, and that his condition had worsened in recent months.

Police, however, rejected the family's claim of suicide.

Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Dakshin Surma Police Station, said, "The family initially claimed it was suicide, but we believe he was murdered. Why would his intestines come out if it were suicide? There are clear stab wounds on his body."

Police have launched an investigation focusing on possible family and property disputes as the motive behind the killing.

They said the autopsy was completed today, and the knife recovered from the scene has been sent for forensic examination.

Multiple deep stab wounds were found on Razzak's abdomen, chest, and other parts of the body, and investigators believe the murder occurred between 6am and 9am on Friday.

CCTV footage showed no one entering or leaving the house between dawn and the discovery of the body. Only a domestic worker was seen entering around 8am; she did not find Razzak in his room, after which family members discovered his body near the stairwell.