Kidnapping Cases on the Rise, Victims Killed Over Unpaid Ransom
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
On May 4, as on any other day, businessman Majaharul Islam Darvesh (50) left his home in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, heading to Savar for work. He was expected to return home that night but never did. Majaharul, who was involved in brick kiln and transport businesses, went missing. His family searched everywhere and eventually filed a general diary (GD) with Savar Police Station.
The following day, on May 5, a Facebook page named ‘Amader Sirajganj’ published a photo of his body, asking for help to identify him. Upon receiving the information, the family confirmed the identity of the deceased.
Police said the body bore multiple injury marks. After the abduction, the victim was reportedly forced to consume a high-dose drug, which caused death. The kidnappers later abandoned his body in a remote area.
On the same day, police recovered the half-decomposed body of Farhad Hossain Mahir (23), a college student, from the Madhabpur area of the Dhaka–Sylhet highway in Habiganj. A group of miscreants abducted him from Aftabnagar under Badda Police Station in Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) jurisdiction on April 30. They later took him to a secluded area, subjected him to physical torture, and killed him. His family filed a case with Badda Police Station after he went missing. Incidents like the abductions of Majaharul and Mahir are becoming frequent.
According to the Police Headquarters, authorities recorded 347 kidnapping cases across the country in four months. Of these, 87 cases were filed in January, 64 in February, 102 in March, and 94 in April.
DMP data shows that 67 kidnapping cases were filed across 50 police stations in Dhaka city during the same four-month period. The breakdown includes 14 cases in January, 12 in February, 20 in March, and 21 in April. Both DMP and Police Headquarters figures indicate a steady rise in kidnapping incidents.
Dr. Towhidul Haque, a professor at the University of Dhaka and crime analyst, told Agamir Shomoy that kidnappings occur mainly for four reasons: political motives, business disputes, enmity and personal relationships, and financial fraud. He said most cases are driven by revenge and attempts to extort money. He also emphasized the need for immediate police action upon receiving complaints, rapid rescue operations, and strict legal measures against the accused.
Kidnappings driven by rivalry or disputes often involve assault and, in some cases, murder. However, when abductions are carried out for financial gain, victims are typically tortured first and then ransom demands are made to their families. If the demanded money is not paid, kidnappers also kill the victims. In some cases, victims are murdered even after the ransom has been paid. Police say this happens because abductors fear being identified by the victim or worry that the victim may later pose a threat, prompting them to eliminate the victim.
Police also noted that investigations often move slowly because most cases are filed against unidentified suspects.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Media Division, NM Nasir Uddin, said police remain on constant alert to maintain law and order in the capital. He added that law enforcement takes swift action upon receiving any kidnapping complaint. In addition, special operations and intelligence surveillance have been intensified across the city.
Four abductees rescued in operation
In the early hours of May 3, kidnappers abducted fish trader Selim from the Beribadh area of Dhaka Udyan in Mohammadpur by forcing him into a microbus. The following morning, police rescued all four victims, including Selim, from a garage in the Diabari area. The others rescued were Saiful, Sohel, and Ali Ahmed.
During the investigation, police arrested Mizanur Rahman Ripon, the alleged ringleader of the kidnapping gang, from the Hatirjheel area on the night of May 3. On the morning of May 4, officers arrested another member of the group, Faisal, from Diabari. Based on information provided by the detainees, police later recovered the four abducted victims from the garage in Diabari.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Jewel Rana said the abductors had detained all four victims, assaulted them, and demanded Tk 200,000 in ransom from each of their families.
Assistant Commissioner Abdullah Al Mamun of the Mohammadpur Zone of DMP told Agamir Shomoy that police are interrogating the arrested suspects on remand to determine whether additional individuals are involved in the gang.
Friend Abducted and Murdered
World University student Farhad Hossain Mahir was abducted from Dhaka, and his body was later recovered from Madhabpur in Habiganj. Police have arrested his friend Mridul Sarkar in connection with the incident. Officer-in-Charge Kazi Md. Nasirul Amin of Badda Police Station under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said that based on Mridul Sarkar’s (20) confession, police recovered Mahir’s body from a bush beside the Dhaka–Sylhet highway in Anandura Union of Madhabpur.
Police, citing the arrested suspect, said Mahir was lured to a residence in Aftabnagar in the capital, where he was killed. His body was later dumped in Madhabpur on May 1 in an attempt to conceal the crime. Police suspect the murder stemmed from personal conflict and an extramarital affair.
Missing persons reports flood Facebook
A Facebook page titled ‘Nikhoj Sangbad’ regularly publishes reports of missing persons, with nearly 5 to 10 such cases posted every day. The posts include photos along with names and addresses, seeking information about the whereabouts of the missing individuals.
In some cases, users also share details of unidentified injured persons, appealing for help to locate their families or relatives.