Gazipur Journo Murder: Conflicting motives emerge as probe widens

Staff Reporter :

The killing of journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin has triggered widespread public concern across Bangladesh, as conflicting accounts emerge over the motive behind the attack.

Local journalists and relatives allege that Tuhin, a staff reporter for Dainik Protidiner Kagoj, was targeted after broadcasting a Facebook Live video exposing local extortion. Police, however, claim he was murdered after filming an attempted fraud.

Our correspondent said that on the day of the attack, Tuhin livestreamed allegations of extortion in the area and was later killed by a known criminal gang.

“Those involved are marked terrorists here, with several extortion cases already filed against them,” he added.

Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Nazmul Karim Khan offered a different account during a Saturday press briefing.

According to him, on Thursday evening a man named Badsha was withdrawing Tk 25,000 from a bank when a woman identified as Golapi attempted to entrap and defraud him. A confrontation broke out, and accomplices attacked Badsha with sharp weapons.

Tuhin, recording the incident as part of his work, allegedly refused demands from the assailants to delete the footage. He was then stabbed multiple times and died at the scene.

Within 24 hours, joint operations by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Gazipur Metropolitan Police led to the arrest of seven suspects. Authorities say eight people were involved, with one still at large.

The suspects – Ketu Mizan, his wife Parul Akhter alias Golapi, Al Amin, Swadhin, Shah Jalal, Suman and Foysal Hassan Sabbir – have each been placed on two days’ remand by a Gazipur court.

Police say the investigation will be completed within 15 days, with a view to securing the maximum penalty. Commissioner Khan expressed regret over the murder, acknowledged the need for greater journalist safety, and attributed a recent rise in local crime to factory closures, unemployment, and lingering political instability.

Tuhin was hacked to death near Gazipur Chowrasta on Thursday night. His brother, Md Selim, has filed a case at Basan Police Station against 20-25 unidentified individuals.