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A fugitive life-term convict has been arrested in Dhaka 17 years after a man was allegedly murdered in Pabna’s Bhangura, according to Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
The arrestee, Md Shafikul Islam, 38, was arrested by a team of RAB-3 in front of Mukto Bangla Shopping Complex in Shah Ali area at around 3:10pm on Tuesday.
RAB-3 Media Officer and Additional Superintendent of Police Md Mehedi Imran Siddiqui confirmed the arrest on Wednesday.
According to RAB, Shafikul and his accomplices hired a van from a man named Faruk on the night of August 24, 2009, on the pretext of going on a trip. When Faruk failed to return home, his family searched for him and informed police.
About a week later, Faruk’s body was recovered from a pond in Bhangura municipality.Faruk’s mother filed a murder case with Bhangura Police Station on September 1, 2009.
RAB said the accused had allegedly taken Faruk from his home as part of a pre-planned robbery. They allegedly made him consume alcohol before attempting to take his money, gold chain and van. When Faruk resisted, they allegedly assaulted him and dumped his body in the pond.
After a lengthy trial, the Pabna District and Sessions Court sentenced 10 accused to life imprisonment. Two convicts, Bilkis and Abdul Karim, are serving their sentences, while the others remain fugitives.
RAB said Shafikul had been in hiding at different locations across the country since the case was filed. He allegedly changed his name and appearance to evade arrest.
Following a request from Bhangura Police, RAB-3 conducted a surveillance operation, traced his whereabouts and arrested him.
Legal proceedings have been initiated against Shafikul, while efforts are underway to arrest the other fugitives in the case.