Staff Reporter:

The Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation (CID) has solved the high-profile mystery surrounding the disappearance and murder of Md. Ashraful Islam, an eighth-grade student from Shahjadpur in Sirajganj, who vanished three years ago. The prime suspect, Md. Rafiqul Islam (54), has been arrested in connection with the incident.

On the afternoon of August 12, 2026, the Sirajganj district unit of CID apprehended Rafiqul from the Jamirta Bazar area under Shahjadpur Police Station. During intensive interrogation, Rafiqul confessed to luring Ashraful away out of personal resentment and drowning him in the Jamuna River as part of a premeditated murder.

According to the details of the case, on the evening of August 31, 2023, Rafiqul repeatedly called Ashraful on his mobile phone, asking him to meet at Jamirta Bazar. Ashraful went missing shortly after. Following his prolonged disappearance, his mother, Mst. Nasima Khatun, filed a petition case with the honorable court on November 13, 2023, naming three individuals as accused. The court subsequently tasked CID Sirajganj with the investigation.

Under the guidance of CID Special Superintendent of Police Monalisa Begum (PPM), investigating officer Sub-Inspector (Unarmed) Md. Azmal Hossain analyzed technological data and local intelligence, establishing Rafiqul’s direct involvement. Following a court order, the case was registered as a regular FIR, accelerating the investigation.

Upon interrogation, Rafiqul revealed that he shared a close intimate relationship with Ashraful. Upon learning that Ashraful had become involved with another party alongside his friends, Rafiqul harbored deep resentment and plotted his murder. On the day of the incident, Rafiqul led Ashraful to the banks of the Jamuna River under the pretext of offering him enhancement pills, secretly administering sleeping pills instead. Once Ashraful lost consciousness, Rafiqul pushed him into the river. The accused has since submitted a voluntary confession under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

CID further revealed that Rafiqul has a history of similar violent offenses. In 2015, following a similar personal dispute, he mutilated a young man with a sharp weapon, for which he served a seven-year prison sentence.

While the murder mystery has been solved, Ashraful’s body has yet to be recovered. CID operations are currently ongoing to retrieve the remains and determine whether any accomplices were involved.