They also sought intervention of the prime minister to ensure free and fair trial of the murder case.

Members of the slain journalist’s family raised the demands at a press conference at the auditorium of Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) in the city’s Segunbagicha.

Ilias, hailing from Jiodhara village under Bandar upazila in Naryangonj, was killed for publishing news about illegal gas connection and drug trading syndicates.

On behalf of the family, his mother, wife and two children were present at the press conference.

Julekha Begum, the journalist’s wife, alleged that a local vested quarter has been engaged to divert the case in a different direction. “In this situation, I’m demanding a proper investigation as well as fair trial into the case,” she said.

Police have already arrested two accused but other are issuing the family threats, she added.

Julekha said her husband was the Bandar correspondent of the daily Swadesh Amar. Earlier, he was working as a Bandar correspondent of local newspaper “Vijay”.

She said locals cowered in fear of Masood Pradhan, who controls illegal gas connection in the area as well as drug syndicates. The residents of the area requested Ilias to write on the gangs, smuggling, gas syndicate and drug trafficking.

When the report was published, Masood and his accomplices became angry and they tortured Ilias at a torture cell run by Masood.

When Sentu, the editor of the newspaper where Ilias worked, was informed about the matter, he assured that it would be resolved and requested Ilias to refrain from filing police complaint, she said.

Ilias was hacked to death by some unidentified miscreants in Geodhara area of Bandar in Narayanganj on Oct 11 night.

A case was filed with Bandar police accusing Tushar (26), Hasnat Ahmed Turjoy, Masud (36), Sagar (27), Pavel (25), Hazrat Ali (50), Michir Ali (53) and Mina (60) and some unidentified miscreants.

Also read:Journalist hacked dead in Narayanganj