The brutal killing of Rakibul Hasan Sani, widely known in his neighborhood as “Paper Sani,” has sent shockwaves through the Pallabi area of the capital, with residents gripped by fear and speculation over the motive behind his death.
While several sources point to a longstanding turf war over drug trade dominance, Sani’s family claims he was targeted for standing up against local teenage gangs and narcotics syndicates.
Sani, 32, was the son of Mohammad Sohel of Kalshi area under Pallabi police station. He lived in the area with his wife, parents, and other family members. According to his family, Sani used to make a living selling clothes on footpaths and driving an autorickshaw.
A History of Rivalry and Narcotics Control
Police and local sources report that Sani had a prolonged conflict with the notorious “Rubel Group,” once his allies, over control of the drug trade and local dominance. Members of the Rubel Group include known criminals such as “Langra Rubel,” “Boma Kallu,” “Tana Akash,” “Jinda,” and “Kasra Sohel”—many of whom are allegedly linked to teenage gangs and criminal activities in the area.
City Killing: ‘Paper Sani’ slain in suspected gang rivalry in Pallabi
Sani’s father claimed that his son used to raise his voice against the local teen gangs and drug dealers. That was his only ‘crime.’ That’s why they killed him, he said.
A Mysterious Night and the Final Hours
According to the case filed with Pallabi police station on Tuesday (June 10), on the previous night (Monday, June 9), a youth named Swapon called Sani over phone out of his home around 11pm, inviting him to a casual hangout in the Mirpur-11 area. Sani left home on his motorbike and never returned.
His body was discovered the next morning (Tuesday) in an empty plot near House 20, Road-3, Block-B of Mirpur 11. Witnesses said his hands were cuffed and his feet tied with a traditional towel (gamchha). His mobile phone and motorbike were missing.
Family members claimed he was brutally slaughtered between the time he left and 8am in the morning on Tuesday, with his hands cuffed and legs bound.
The Dark World of the Rubel Group
Investigation sources revealed that Rubel, once a rickshaw-puller, later became involved in drug dealing. He and Sani reportedly worked together during their early days in the trade before their relationship soured.
Locals say that Boma Kallu, recently released on bail, played a key role in orchestrating the murder. On the Monday evening before the murder, Rubel was seen picking up Kallu in a private car from in front of Bangla School in Mirpur 11. A known drug peddler named Fazzju was also reportedly in the car. That night, the group staged a half-hour-long “showdown” in the area. The next day, Sani was found dead.
Legal Proceedings and Police Response
Following the incident, Sani’s mother Rozina Begum filed a murder case with Pallabi Police Station on Tuesday (June 10), naming Langra Rubel, Boma Kallu, Swapon, Jinda, and Tana Akash as the main accused.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shafiul Alam of Pallabi Police Station told UNB, “A murder case has been filed, and we’re actively pursuing the accused. However, no arrests have been made yet.”
He added, “Sani was killed by his rival group of drug traders. The murder is the result of a power struggle between two criminal factions. There are 8–9 cases against Sani himself.”
For the past 10 months, residents of Pallabi have reportedly been living under the terror of the Rubel Group. Despite repeated complaints, the group continues to operate with apparent impunity.
Local residents told UNB, “There is no rule of law here anymore—only teen gangs and drug violence. We live in constant fear. Today it’s Sani; tomorrow, it could be someone else.”