Mystery Deepens Over Tahsif Murder; Dip Placed on Four-Day Remand, Case Filed

The confusion over the murder of Mr. Tahsif Souri, a former Air Force officer, is still not clearing. Investigators are in the dark about finding the secret of the murder and arresting those involved. Questions have come up everywhere because the state could not give security to this Air Force officer, who leaked the video of Ms. Sheikh Hasina fleeing.

In this murder case, the court has granted four days of remand for questioning Mr. Ahmed Shahriar Reza Dip. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mr. Hasib Ullah Pias gave the order after the hearing yesterday. Earlier, Inspector Mr. Firoz Uddin of the Tongi outpost of the River Police asked for seven days of remand for a fair investigation of the case.

On the other hand, RAWA, the welfare organisation of retired armed forces officers, has called for finding out the real truth of the Tahsif Souri killing. Yesterday RAWA leaders met Tahsif’s family at his home in the Karabi building of the RAJUK apartment project in Uttara Sector 18. Afterwards they made this demand.

Tahsif’s father, Mr. K M Enayetul Karim, has also asked for the real cause of the death to be found and for a fair investigation of the incident. He said what Dip has said and done is questionable. He said he cannot understand who is involved or who did what. Mr. K M Enayetul Karim said these things to journalists at his home in Uttara yesterday.

He filed a case at the police station over the murder. The accused in the case are unknown.

Earlier this week, in the evening, Tahsif left home at the call of his junior friend Dip and went missing. The next afternoon, the River Police recovered his body from the Rajabari Ghat area of the Turag river. Tahsif’s father, Mr. K M Enayetul Karim, filed a case at Uttarkhan police station against unknown persons at 1:05 am the day before yesterday. Police later showed Dip as arrested, as a suspect in this case.

The remand application said that the slain Mr. K M Tahsif was a former Air Force officer. It said it is very necessary to take Dip on remand and question him, for the sake of the investigation and so that the accused cannot get out on bail and disturb the investigation. The reasons given for seeking remand were these.

First, to find the main secret and the motive behind the murder. Second, to identify and arrest the other unknown accused involved in the murder. Third, to recover the items used in the murder and other needed evidence for the case. Fourth, to recover the personal motorcycle used by the slain former Air Force officer Tahsif. Fifth, to identify exactly where the murder took place.

During the hearing, Dip was brought to the courtroom. Additional Public Prosecutor Mr. Azizul Haque Didar argued for remand on behalf of the state. The court then gave the remand order.

Investigators say they are not believing any information from Dip without checking. They are also analysing Tahsif’s mobile phone call list and WhatsApp call list and messages through forensic tests. According to PBI sources, investigators asked Dip during questioning why they had gone to the Bazar Bosti field near the Turag river. Dip is giving different information at different times in answer to this question.

At one point, he told the investigators he did not go to that field. He said Tahsif had told him that he would go to that field. Investigators then asked Dip, if he did not go to the field, how he knew where in the field the motorcycle was. In answer, Dip changed his statement again. This time he said he did go to the field. He said Tahsif took him to the field on a motorcycle. He said he did not know the field before.

But Dip is still not giving any correct answer about why they went to the field. He is also repeating the same words without giving information on whether any woman or other persons were with them. Officials concerned say the investigators are confused by this. But Dip is answering all the investigators’ questions in his own way, in a very calm and cool manner.

Mr. Sarwar Tushar, joint convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and member of its political council, told Inqilab that this incident is certainly a reflection of a broken legal system. He said he also doubts whether the real facts are being hidden, because this is a very mysterious murder. He said it looks like a murder to them. He said the government should tell the real secret of such a big incident.

He said it must be found out who is carrying out targeted killings of forces in favour of the July revolution. He said those behind them must be identified.

RAWA wants the real truth of Tahsif’s death found. RAWA leaders met Tahsif’s family at his Uttara home yesterday. After coming out, RAWA joint secretary retired Lt. Col. Mr. Abu Nowroz Khurshid Alam said they went to offer condolences to Tahsif’s grieving family. He said they talked with the family members and asked whether the family needs any help on what to do about the incident.

He said he spoke with Tahsif’s father, Mr. Enayetul Karim. He said that in this situation the family may have much to do but may not be able to do it. He said, “We asked him what we can do and what kind of help we can give.” He said Mr. Karim told them that various law enforcement agencies are looking into the matter. He said they are looking for eyewitnesses and CCTV footage in the field.

The former army officer called Tahsif’s death painful for retired armed forces officers. He said, “We hope they will find the real truth very quickly and make arrangements accordingly.” He said all members of the defence community, like the people of the country, hope law enforcement agencies will find the truth soon and take proper action. He also said RAWA will stand by Tahsif’s grieving family and give all kinds of help.

Another former army officer, Major Mr. Al Amin, said, “We will not let this incident go. We will watch and monitor how the trial happens and how the facts are found. We want a full investigation of the incident, and a trial of those who are caught.”

Dip’s matters are questionable. Mr. Enayetul Karim spoke to journalists at his home in Uttara. He said, “My son was a very talented pilot, a commissioned officer. He had a very good relationship with everyone. If he heard of anyone’s problem, he would rush to help. He stood by anyone in danger. We cannot accept such an accident for such a son at all.”

Speaking about his son’s disappearance, he said Tahsif left home earlier this week in the evening at the call of a friend. He said Tahsif told his mother as he left, “I will talk and come back right away.” He said Tahsif never came home again. Tahsif’s father said the next day, before evening, the River Police called him and said his son’s body was found at Rajabari Ghat. He said it was very painful and heartbreaking for the family.

He said he filed an application at Uttarkhan police station to find the cause of his son’s death. He said, “I have applied to the Uttarkhan police station. In it, I have asked for finding the cause of my son’s death, a fair investigation of the incident and justice.” Tahsif’s father alleged that his son’s friend Dip had a close relationship with him for some time. Dip used to come to their home and eat with them. They looked on him as their own younger son.

He said, “Dip took my son by calling him. After that, my son never came back. I have seen a little of the PBI investigation. There he later admitted that they went to Tongi together. But Dip had told me he left my son inside this compound. These matters are really questionable. I cannot understand who is involved or who did what.” He said a fair investigation and justice for the incident are the family’s hope now.