Tk 1.2 lakh deal for fake KU certificate 

KHULNA, Sept 30 - A Tk 120,000 deal for a fake Khulna University (KU) certificate has emerged as a possible motive behind the murder of Ayman Md Azmul Hossain, a first-year English student at North Western University in Khulna.

Azmul, 21, was allegedly beaten to death on September 18 after being accused of stealing cooked rice from a mess near KU. Police have arrested four people, who have reportedly given confessional statements before a court under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

However, 12 days after the incident, investigators are yet to establish the exact motive or determine whether Azmul was pushed or thrown from a rooftop after being assaulted.

Investigators suspect the dispute over Tk 120,000 may have played a key role. Azmul, the son of a farmer from Baro Sholua village in Chuadanga's Darshana upazila, had allegedly paid the money to Mehedi, a student of Gopalganj Science and Technology University and manager of a mess near KU.

Mehedi allegedly promised to arrange a KU certificate for Azmul and gave him a fake KU identity card. Azmul was never admitted to the university and later enrolled in the English department of North Western University.

According to investigators, Mehedi allegedly wanted to avoid returning the money and began accusing Azmul of stealing money, mobile phones, rice and other belongings from the mess.

The situation reportedly escalated on the night of September 18. Several residents allegedly took Azmul to the rooftop and assaulted him over the alleged theft. The beating reportedly continued from around 11pm until after 1am, leaving him unable to stand.

A claim that Azmul jumped from the rooftop to escape the assault has also circulated, but investigators have found no evidence supporting it.

Police examined the scene on Wednesday and found that the rooftop was about six to seven feet from the adjacent building, while the parapet wall was around four feet high. Azmul's body was recovered from a narrow drain below. 

Investigators are yet to determine whether he was pushed during the assault or thrown down after being killed. The post-mortem report may help clarify the circumstances.

Harintana Police Station Officer-in-Charge Iqbal Hossain said an allegation of stealing rice alone appeared insufficient to explain the killing.

“We are investigating whether there were other reasons behind the incident. If we can find the prime accused, Mehedi, we hope to establish the motive,” he said.

According to the OC, four people allegedly led the assault after taking Azmul to the rooftop, while 30 to 35 people from the surrounding area later joined the beating after he was branded a thief.