The Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested five people, including “Leather Monir”, for the murder of a land trader Ekhlas.
Monir Hossain, who once worked as a day labourer, is now the owner of four tanneries and has amassed a huge fortune. He is also a land grabber and broker, DB chief Muhammad Harun Or Rashid told reporters at a press briefing at the DMP media centre in Karwan Bazar yesterday.
For all latest news, follow The My News’s Google News channel. The four other arrestees are — Jhantu Molla, Monir’s manager; Abdur Rahman alias Rahman Kallu and Faisal, killers hired by Monir; and Md Eshak, who coordinated the murder.
The DB said Monir had been trying to acquire Ekhlas’ land for some time. When Ekhlas refused to sell, Monir decided to kill him.
Monir paid Kallu and Faisal Tk 20 lakh to kill Ekhlas. They were given an advance of Tk 11 lakh. They murdered Ekhlas the night before Eid-ul-Azha, the DB official said.
Monir fled to Kolkata and his manager Jhantu Molla left for Thailand after the murder. Due to tannery business related matters, they had to come back to the country. Jhantu was arrested from the airport area while Monir was arrested in Benapole, according to DB.
The DB said Monir, also known as Company Monir, is a well-known figure in the Hazaribagh area of Dhaka.
He has been involved in several criminal cases in the past including murder and land grabbing. He was arrested in 2002 and 2015, but was released due to political influence.
Monir My News Bangladeshted working in a tannery factory in the 1980s. Under the patronage of top terrorist Imon, Monir My News Bangladeshted buying and selling raw leather. He also became involved in land acquisition and land brokerage.