The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested the prime accused in the 2024 murder of Farah Diba, wife of a retired Bangladesh Air Force officer, nearly two years after the killing in the capital’s Mirpur DOHS area.
The accused, Md Sabuj Biswas, a driver by profession, was arrested from Kushtia following an extensive manhunt, RAB officials said on Thursday.
Speaking at a press briefing at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar, RAB Legal and Media Wing Director Wing Commander MZM Intekhab Chowdhury said the murder was committed with the intention of robbery.
According to RAB, Farah Diba, 60, wife of retired Wing Commander Kazi Abdul Matin, was murdered in her residence in Mirpur DOHS on October 27, 2024. A murder case was subsequently filed with Pallabi Police Station.
The following day, RAB arrested security guard Md Milon Mia in connection with the incident.
Based on Milon’s confessional statement recorded under Section 164 and the charge sheet submitted in the case, investigators found that Milon and Sabuj entered the house together and attacked the victim.
They allegedly grabbed Farah Diba from behind and threw her to the floor. Sabuj held her mouth shut while Milon tied her hands and feet with rope and wrapped a towel around her face. She later died from suffocation.
After ensuring her death, the accused looted cash and gold ornaments from an almirah before fleeing the scene, the RAB official said.
“The investigation has established that the murder was carried out for robbery,” Wing Commander Intekhab said.
He added that Sabuj had remained in hiding for a long period after the incident. Intelligence units from RAB Headquarters and RAB-12 had been conducting surveillance to locate him.
Acting on confidential information and using information technology, a RAB team conducted a raid in the Court Station area under Kushtia Sadar Police Station on Thursday and arrested Sabuj, who was wanted under a court warrant.
According to RAB, the accused had been evading arrest by using different identities and moving between various parts of the country.
Asked whether the murder was driven by personal resentment or financial motives, Intekhab said the killing was committed solely for looting valuables from the house.
He also urged the public to properly verify the identities and backgrounds of domestic security guards and drivers before employing them in their homes.