Veteran journalist Bibhuranjan 'missing' since yesterday; GD filed

Veteran journalist Bibhuranjan Sarkar has reportedly gone missing after leaving his Dhaka's Siddheshwari residence for work yesterday morning (21 August).

Bibhuranjan, 71, a senior assistant editor at the Bangla daily Ajker Patrika and a columnist on current affairs, has not returned home since leaving for his office in Banasree around 10am, according to his family.

His son, Wreet Sarkar, filed a general diary (GD) with Ramna Model Police Station last night.

In the GD, he stated, "Like every day, my father left for his office at 10am. But he did not return home by 9pm. We searched at his office and contacted the newspaper's acting editor Kamrul Hasan, who told us that my father had not arrived there either.

"After searching all possible places, when we couldn't find him, we filed a GD."

Speaking to The Business Standard today, Wreet said, "My father had no personal disputes with anyone. We have checked everywhere but have not been able to trace him."

Ramna Model Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Tarikul Islam said, "We are working on the case. Since he did not carry any device with him, it is taking time to trace his location. We are collecting and analysing CCTV footage."

Acting editor Kamrul Hasan told TBS that Bibhuranjan was a calm and soft-spoken individual.

"He had been on leave since the 16th. Yesterday morning, he left his phone, keys, and bag at home before heading out for the office. Since then, there has been no trace of him. We are trying to search everywhere possible," he said.