Jihad Hawladar, who was arrested by West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Kolkata, reportedly confessed to killing MP Anwarul Azim Anar in a flat in Kolkata’s New Town at the directive of one Akhtaruzzaman.
After the murder, Jihad dismembered the body, minced the meat and packed it into polythene bags. The bones were also chopped into small pieces and disposed of in various locations around Kolkata and its outskirts, particularly the Krishnawati village in Bhangar near Kolkata, according to Indian investigators.
After arresting Jihad on Thursday, CID officials interrogated him continuously. They tried to find out where the body of Anar was
dumped. On Thursday night, Kolkata Police searched the Bagjola canal near Krishnamurti Bridge in Bhangar area in search of the MP’s body. This canal runs in front of the flat in the New Town area where Anwarul was murdered.
On Friday, Jihad was brought before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Barasat. Later, Judge Subhankar Biswas granted a 12-day police remand.
CID officials said Jihad Hawladar, of Barrackpore union in Dighalia upazila of Khulna, is an illegal immigrant who has lived in Mumbai for a long time and has been working as a butcher there.
Jihad was brought to Kolkata two months ago at the behest of Akhtaruzzaman, a US citizen of Bangladeshi origin, the alleged mastermind of the MP’s murder, the CID said.
The CID said he was staying in a hotel near Kolkata Airport. He dismembered the MP’s body in a bid to hide his identity.
Police released CCTV footage of the flat in Kolkata's New Town where Anar was killed.
In video footage, MP Anar is seen entering the flat in Sanjeeva Garden on May 13, at 2:51 p.m. Shimul Bhuiyan, alias Amanullah Aman, and his associate Faisal were with him at that time. MP Anar then put his shoes on the rack by the door. He is seen entering the flat quite calmly and spontaneously.
In video footage, it was seen that two people were leaving the door of the flat on May 14, at 5:11 pm. One of them was carrying a light green coloured trolley bag. Then another person came out with him carrying polythene and paper shopping bags. While leaving, they locked the door from outside. After that, they got into the elevator.
Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police officials said that the two who came out of the Sanjeeva Garden flat were Amanullah Aman alias Shimul Bhuiyan and Jihad Hawladar. Amanullah, who was arrested by the DB, also admitted what was seen in the CC camera. On the other hand, Jihad is in Indian police custody.
Meanwhile, a Dhaka Court on Friday placed three accused on an eight-day remand in connection with the murder of Jhenaidah-4 MP Anwarul Azim Anar in Kolkata.
The accused are Shimul Bhuiyan alias Amanullah Aman, the alleged leader of the killing mission, and his associates Tanvir Bhuiyan and Shilasti Rahman.They were arrested in a case filed by Azim’s daughter Mumtarin Ferdoush Dorin at Sher-E-Bangla Nagar Police Station.
On Friday (May 24), the accused were brought before the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court and asked for a 10-day remand by the investigating officer of the case Assistant Commissioner of DB Police (Wari Zone) Mahfuzur Rahman.
In the remand application, it was alleged that Aktaruzzaman Shahin, the mastermind of the incident, had longstanding business relations with the victim, Anwarul Azim Anar. Shahin harboured resentment towards Azim over various issues related to their business dealings, issues of which Anar was reportedly unaware. Additionally, Anar had a long-standing political conflict with Shimul Bhuiya, also known as Amanullah Aman. Consequently, Shahin and Aman conspired to murder Anar outside the country to avoid detection. Shahin returned home on May 10, during which he tasked Amanullah with ensuring the murder was carried out flawlessly and without leaving any evidence.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Dilruba Afroz Tithy passed the order after detectives produced the arrestees before the court, seeking a 10-day remand for each.
On Thursday, DB Chief Harun-Or-Rashid said the trio was directly involved in the murder and disposal of the MP’s body.
Before the remand hearing, Shilasti Rahman, one of the three accused, was seen crying nonstop in the courtroom dock where the accused were held. During the hearing, a lawyer approached her to obtain her signature on a power of attorney. Distraught, Shilasti said, “Why should I sign? Am I guilty or not? I don’t know anything about these things.”
Mumtarin Ferdoush Dorin, daughter of Jhenaidah-4 lawmaker Md Anwarul Azim Anar, said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina understands the pain of losing a father and will ensure justice for her father’s murder as well.
“The motive behind the murder could only be determined after arresting the culprits. I hope justice will be delivered for this cruel and brutal act. I seek your cooperation (Journalist) in this matter,” she said.
Mumtarin Ferdoush Dorin, said these words in a human chain organised to demand exemplary punishment and fair trial for the brutal murder of Jhenaidah-4 (Kaliganj) MP Anwarul Azim Anar in Kolkata.
On Friday (May 24) around 5 p.m, the residents of Ward No. 5 of Kaliganj Municipality organised this programme at the city’s main bus stand.
MP Azim was murdered in Kolkata recently. Both Indian and Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies are investigating the murder.
