A gruesome case has emerged involving Rangpur businessman Ashraful Haque, who fell victim to an extramarital affair and betrayal by a friend, resulting in his dismembered body being found in 26 pieces inside plastic drums in Dhaka. The RAB and police, citing initial interrogations of the accused Shamima Akter and Jorezul Islam, confirmed these details.
According to RAB, during a press conference on Saturday (15 November), Shamima revealed that Jorezul had planned to trap Ashraful and extort 1 million taka. Shamima was tasked with bringing Ashraful to Dhaka under this plan. However, why he was ultimately killed instead of being extorted remains unclear. Authorities are awaiting Jorezul’s full statement to determine the exact motive.
Jorezul was arrested on Friday night in Daudkandi, Comilla, by the police’s DB unit. The next day, during a press briefing at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Media Centre, DB Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam described the case as a triangle love affair turned deadly.
The body of Ashraful was discovered on Thursday (13 November) near the gate of the National Eidgah field, adjacent to the High Court in Dhaka. Fingerprint analysis confirmed the remains belonged to Ashraful, a resident of Noyapara village, Gopalpur Union, Badarganj Upazila, Rangpur. His sister filed a case at Shahbagh Police Station on Friday, and Jorezul was identified as the prime suspect. Both Jorezul and Shamima were subsequently arrested.
DB officials said Jorezul, a Malaysian expatriate, returned to Bangladesh about six weeks ago. During his stay abroad, he developed a relationship with Shamima via social media. On his return, Shamima received him at Dhaka airport, after which they parted ways to their respective homes.
Following his return, Jorezul’s wife discovered his ongoing communications with Shamima and sought help from his close friend, Ashraful, to intervene. Ashraful contacted Shamima and over time, a relationship developed between them, including frequent calls and video chats.
Eventually, Ashraful and Shamima devised a plan to send Jorezul to Japan, agreeing to pool 14 lakh taka for the trip. Shamima summoned Ashraful and another accomplice to Dhaka for the plan, and they were received at Sayedabad Bus Stand. They stayed at a rented apartment in Shonir Akhra, where Ashraful was allegedly given juice mixed with sleeping pills by Jorezul and Shamima, though he did not fall asleep.
Tensions escalated when Ashraful allegedly tried to get closer to Shamima, prompting a confrontation. During the altercation, Jorezul hit Ashraful’s knee with a hammer while Shamima restrained him with ropes and gagged him with a scarf. Ashraful was reportedly dead shortly after.
After the killing, the duo stayed in the apartment overnight, then purchased drums and other materials the following morning to dismember the body. The remains were divided into 26 pieces, placed in two drums, covered with rice, and transported via auto-rickshaw to the National Eidgah field near the High Court. Shamima then returned to her home in Laksam, Comilla, while Jorezul went to a known residence in Daudkandi.
Authorities continue to investigate the case and are questioning both suspects for further details regarding the murder and its planning.
