The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has apprehended a key suspect in the mob-led killing of Abdur Rahman, a self-styled spiritual leader locally known as Shamim Reza, in Kushtia’s Daulatpur upazila.
The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Rajib Mistry, was captured during a joint operation by RAB-5 and RAB-12 in Rajshahi’s Godagari upazila late Thursday night.
According to Sudipta Sarkar, Company Commander of the RAB-12 Kushtia camp, Mistry is the third of four individuals specifically named in the First Information Report (FIR). Following his arrest, he was produced before a court and sent to jail on Friday.
The victim, 65-year-old Shamim Reza, also known as Jahangir, was fatally attacked on April 11 at his shrine, "Shamim Baba's Darbar Sharif."
Witnesses and local sources reported that the violence was triggered by the resurfacing of a video from 2023, which led to accusations of blasphemy. During the assault, the victim was beaten and hacked to death, while three of his followers sustained injuries.
Daulatpur Police Station officer-in-charge Arifur Rahman confirmed that four people have been taken into custody so far.
Previous arrests include Biplob Hossain, 26, Alif Islam, 23, and a 16-year-old student.
The legal proceedings began on April 13 when the victim's brother, Fazlur Rahman, filed a formal complaint naming four primary suspects and approximately 180 to 200 unidentified individuals involved in the mob.
Police officials stated that operations are ongoing to track down and arrest the remaining perpetrators.
