Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has detained five suspects for interrogation in connection with the death of customs official Bullet Bairagi, whose body was discovered beside the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Cumilla.
All five detainees are described as professional snatchers.
RAB-11 commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel HM Sajjad Hossain confirmed Sunday that the suspects were arrested from Cumilla and surrounding areas.
He said interrogation is ongoing and more details will be disclosed later as the operation continues.
The 35-year-old Assistant Revenue Officer went missing Friday night while returning to Cumilla after completing training in Chattogram. His blood-stained body was found Saturday morning on the footpath beside Irish Hill Hotel in Kotbari area near Mainamoti Highway Crossing on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.
Bullet Bairagi's mother Neelima Bairagi filed a murder case against unknown persons at Sadar Dakshin Police Station on Saturday night. Officer-in-charge Sirajul Mostafa said police have started investigation.
He noted that serious bruising was found on the back of the victim's head, though full details will emerge after autopsy.
According to family members, Bairagi boarded a Dhaka-bound bus from Alangkar intersection in Chattogram around 11 PM Friday after completing his 44th foundational training. He was supposed to get off at Cumilla bypass and last contacted family around 2:25 AM, informing them he had reached Tomsom Bridge intersection in Cumilla city.
However, his mother Neelima Bairagi said her son's voice sounded unfamiliar during their last conversation. When he did not return home after a long time and family members called, his mobile phone was switched off.
After searching without finding any trace, the family filed a General Diary at Cumilla Kotwali Model Police Station on Saturday morning. Shortly after, police informed them about the body recovery.
Police said there were no major injury marks on the body except for a somewhat bloodied face. His mobile phone, bag and other belongings were not found with the body.
Bullet Bairagi was the son of Sushil Bairagi from Dumuria Babupara village in Tungipara, Gopalganj. He joined the Dhaka Customs office as a 41st BCS non-cadre officer and was posted at Bibir Bazar land port in Cumilla.
He lived with his family in a rented house in Panpotti area adjacent to Rajganj in Cumilla city. He is survived by his father, mother, wife and a one-year-old son.
The customs department has expressed shock over the death of their officer while the investigation seeks to determine whether this was a case of robbery gone wrong or premeditated murder.
