Tanem killed for lighting cigarette in front of senior

Morshed Alam Tanem was a student of Ahmed Bawani Academy in Armanitola. On June 30 last year, he was seriously injured in a stabbing in the area under Chawkbazar Police Station in the capital. Despite receiving treatment, Tanem died at the hospital. At the time, it was claimed that robbers had stabbed him while trying to snatch his mobile phone. However, a year later, a shocking detail emerged during the investigation. After completing the investigation, a report was submitted to the court. The report stated that Tanem was killed for lighting a cigarette in front of his senior despite being a junior.

Sub Inspector Raju Ahmed of Chawkbazar Model Police Station said the investigation had been completed and a report had been submitted to the court. Nineteen people have been made witnesses to prove the allegations in the case. They will testify in court to establish the truth of the incident.

He said victim Tanem had told his mother who had stabbed him. However, they hid everything out of fear. They were even unwilling to file a case. Later, the investigation into who had initially taken him to the hospital led to the arrest of the accused. The issue of lighting a cigarette emerged from their statements and the investigation. An attempt was made to contact the victim’s father, Firoz Alam Abir, for comment but he could not be reached.

Tanem’s family had said they would take legal action after his burial. However, as no complaint was filed later, Sub Inspector Md. Manik Uddin of Chawkbazar Model Police Station filed a murder case as the plaintiff on July 25, 2025.

After completing the investigation, investigating officer and Sub Inspector of Chawkbazar Model Police Station Raju Ahmed submitted a charge sheet against accused Md. Sifat alias Regan on August 28. At the same time, a complaint sheet was submitted against four children in conflict with the law. They are Md. Sayem Hossain, Md. Zahid Islam, Mostakim Ahmed Safin and Md. Anik. Among them, Sayem, Zahid and Anik confessed to their involvement in statements before the court.

Plan to kill Tanem for lighting cigarette

Accused Sifat and the children in conflict with the law, Sayem, Zahid, Safin and Anik, were previously acquainted with case victim Morshed Alam Tanem. There had already been a dispute between them over taking Tanem’s mobile phone and selling it.

Around 12 am on June 30, 2025, Tanem left through the southern gate at the back of Husseini Dalan Imambara after completing mourning rituals and was returning home with Asifur Rahman Daud, Arafat Hossain Rafi and Dhallu. At that time, Sifat, Zahid, Safin and Anik also followed them through the same gate.

After leaving Husseini Dalan, Tanem lit a cigarette in front of a kebab shop called Kabin. Sayem saw him lighting the cigarette. He later told Sifat and the others that Tanem had lit a cigarette.

Sifat then told his associates that Tanem had no right to light a cigarette in front of his senior despite being a junior and called him disrespectful. He said they would teach him a lesson that day. Sifat and his associates then planned to kill Tanem.

Four children visited Tanem at hospital to avoid suspicion

Tanem fell some distance behind his friends while lighting the cigarette. When he reached near Makkah Shah Mazar on Nazimuddin Road under Chawkbazar Model Police Station, Sifat and his associates surrounded him due to their previous enmity.

Sifat then attacked him with a sharp knife with the intention of killing him. Hearing Tanem’s screams, his friends Asifur Rahman Daud, Arafat Hossain Rafi and Dhallu came forward. Sifat then fled the scene.

Tanem was rescued and initially taken to Mitford Hospital. However, to avoid suspicion over Tanem’s killing, the four children in conflict with the law, Sayem Hossain, Zahid Islam, Mostakim Ahmed Safin and Anik, went to Mitford Hospital to see him.

After receiving initial treatment there, Tanem was referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Following treatment, he was taken home on July 1. However, he fell ill that afternoon and was taken back to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

After examinations, doctors found that his food pipe had been severed. He was taken to the operating theater at 11 pm the same day. After the operation, Tanem died at around 5:30 am on July 2.