Illicit relations behind the murder of garment worker Azharul: Rab

The murder of readymade garment factory worker Azharul Islam was pre-planned. His wife along with an imam of the local mosque hatched the murder conspiracy, according to the Rapid Action Battalion.

Abdur Rahman, imam of Dakshinkhan Sardar Para Mosque, was arrested on Tuesday. Following his information, law enforcers recovered the dismembered body of Azharul, 30, from the septic tank of the mosque.

Later, Azharul's wife Asma Akter was arrested on charges of murder.

Briefing the media on Wednesday, Rab's media wing Director Khandaker Al Moin said the murder had been committed due to an extramarital relationship between Azharul's wife and the imam.

Abdur Rahman had hacked Azharul to death on the night of 19 May following a heated conversation. He then sliced the body into six pieces and dumped those into the septic tank before the Fajr prayer, the Rab official said.

Moin said Azharul and his four-year-old son had been learning the Quran from Abdur Rahman for the last four months. For that the imam had been visiting their house regularly.

Being suspicious of the imam's relationship with his wife, Azharul asked him not to visit his house anymore.

Enraged, Abdur Rahman and Asma hatched the murder conspiracy, said the Rab officer. Initially, the duo tried to hire an assailant, but later Abdur Rahman decided to kill by himself.

He asked Azharul to visit him at the mosque after the Isha prayer on 19 May. After a conversation, Azharul felt sleepy and rested on the bed of Abdur Rahman.

Then the imam attempted to kill Azharul with sharp weapons, but Azharul woke up and tried to flee. Abdur Rahman chased and hacked him in the throat on the staircase of the mosque, said Moin referring to information gleaned in an interrogation.

After dumping the pieces of the body into the septic tank, Abdur Rahman informed Asma of the murder, the Rab official added.