Bithar murder case transferred to DB

19 July 2009, 17:00 PM

Staff Correspondent, Khulna

Shahid Iqbal Bithar

Shahid Iqbal Bithar murder case was transferred to the Detective Branch of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) for fair investigation Saturday evening. KMP commissioner has ordered DB to investigate the case as Sub-Inspector (SI) Shajahan Siraj of Khulna Sadar Police Station, also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, could not make any headway though six days have elapsed since filing of the FIR on July 13, said AC Nesar Ahmed. Inspector Monir Ahmed of DB has been made new IO of the case. Bithar, ward councillor of Khulna City Corporation (KCC), was gunned down near his residence at Musalmanpara on the night of July 11. Police claimed that Medicine trader Mokhlesur Rahman Pintu, arrested on July 15 as suspect, has confessed to financing the killers. He also admitted to his close link with underground parties. Pintu made this confession during interrogation by police. He was on a three- day remand that ended yesterday. KCC Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque once again held a vested interest group responsible for the murder. The group killed Bithar to hamper the ongoing drive against encroachers of 22 canals, said the mayor while addressing a press conference yesterday. Khulna Awami League and its front organisations brought out a mourning procession in the city yesterday and later submitted memorandums to the DC and the KMP commissioner demanding arrest of the real killers of Bithar, also a central leader of Jubo League.