The man ‘behind’ Savar murders

Police have disclosed the “real identity” of the man arrested in connection with six murders in Savar over the past seven months.

Savar Model Police Station’s Inspector (Operations) Helal Uddin told The Daily Star yesterday that the suspected “serial killer” is Sabuj Sheikh.

Locals believed that he was mentally unwell, but police said he feigned the condition and used multiple aliases, including Mashiur Rahman Samrat and Tiger Samrat.

During a preliminary interrogation, Sabuj claimed that he killed the victims to prevent other people, whom he described as “mentally unwell”, from staying in the area. “But we are not convinced by this claim,” said Inspector Helal.

Sabuj also confessed to his involvement in the six killings, including the latest double murder, police said.

According to police, he had no national identity card, and his fingerprints did not match any record. His past criminal history could not be verified.

Helal added that the accused often phoned police personnel to talk about irrelevant issues.

“He called me over phone on Friday evening and requested us, CID, PBI and Savar Police Station to recover two bodies. I felt disturbed, rebuked him, and hung up. Later, I went to the abandoned Savar Municipal Community Centre building around 12:15am [Saturday],” he said.

There, the inspector found a woman, later identified as Tania Akhter, under a blanket on the second floor, while the accused wandered nearby.

A search of his bag revealed two lists containing the names and mobile numbers of the officers of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and Savar Model police stations.

“We tore the lists, stayed there several hours, and left the scene around 3:00am,” Helal said.

Around 35 hours later, two burnt bodies were recovered from the Savar building.

CCTV footage links Sabuj to the killings, leading to his arrest.

Sabuj was arrested after police recovered two burnt bodies from the community centre on Sunday. One was identified as Tania, 25.

Her family said she was physically and mentally challenged and had been missing since January 1. Her body was handed over to the family after an autopsy.

Arafatul Islam, additional superintendent of police (Savar circle), said the accused used a SIM card registered in another person’s name. “We are investigating into it.”

Meanwhile, our Munshiganj correspondent yesterday visited Sabuj’s village home in the Mouchamandha (Gorerbari) area of the district’s Louhajang upazila.

His younger brother, Jibon Sheikh, said Sabuj studied at a madrasa before dropping out and showing unusual behaviour.

“Sabuj came home around one month ago after around a two-year-gap. Earlier, Sabuj was sent to a rehab for a few days. He was even in jail for a few days,” said Jibon, without giving any details.

His mother, Momtaz Begum, said he was mentally unstable, filed a case against his father, and was once married but later abandoned by his wife. He has a son.

Local union parishad member Sohel Khan said Sabuj assaulted an auto-rickshaw driver years ago, leading to arbitration.

Locals said Sabuj is a “drug addict”.

OC Monirul Islam of Louhajanj Police Station confirmed that Sabuj is not accused in any case there.