Fuel station worker fatally run over for demanding payment

A fuel station worker was killed after allegedly being run over by an SUV in Rajbari’s Sadar upazila early yesterday.

Police and witnesses said the incident occurred when the worker at Karim Filling Station demanded payment for fuel. The SUV driver reportedly attempted to leave without paying and ran over the worker, killing him on the spot.

The victim was identified as Ripon Saha, 30, son of Pabitra Saha of Sahapara in Rajbari’s Sadar upazila.

Police later seized the vehicle and arrested its owner, Abul Hashem alias Sujan, 55, from his residence in Baro Muraripur village of the upazila yesterday afternoon, said Khondkar Ziaur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Rajbari Sadar Police Station.

The driver, Kamal Hossain, 43, was also detained from Banibhah Nijpara village, said the police official.

Police said Hashem is a former treasurer of Rajbari district BNP and former president of the district Jubo Dal. He is a contractor by profession.

Talking to reporters, employees of Karim Filling Station said a black Land Cruiser arrived at the filling station early yesterday and took fuel worth Tk 5,000. When the vehicle driver attempted to leave without paying, station worker Ripon tried to stop it. The vehicle ran him over and fled the scene, leaving Ripon dead on the spot, they alleged.

Md Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Ahladipur Highway Police Station, said CCTV footage from the station shows the black Land Cruiser arriving there around 4:30am. Ripon and vehicle owner Hashem were seen standing beside the vehicle. After a brief pause, Hashem got into the vehicle. As it started moving, Ripon chased it up to the Dhaka-Khulna highway.

Another worker, Jakir Hossain, also ran after them and later found Ripon’s body on the highway with severe injuries to the head and face. The body was recovered and sent to the Rajbari Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy, added the OC.  OC Ziaur said both the vehicle owner and the driver are currently in police custody, and legal proceedings are underway.