Jubo Dal leader Mahbub murder: KUET clashes, links with extremists among probable causes

Police are investigating several aspects surrounding the murder of Mahbubur Rahman Molla, former vice-president of Daulatpur Thana unit Jubo Dal in Khulna.

Authorities claim they have identified the killers, and one person has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Mahbub’s father filed a murder case with the police station on Saturday, 24 hours after the killing.

Multiple sources within the police said they have gathered some information and evidence that has led to an initial idea about the suspects. However, the exact motive behind the murder remains unclear.

Speaking on the matter, Additional Commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP), Abu Rayhan Muhammad Saleh, said, "The matter is under investigation. It is not possible to disclose details at this moment. However, we have obtained a lot of information, which is being verified. Multiple weapons were used in the killing. Three assailants arrived on a motorcycle—one of them was wearing a helmet. Nearby CCTV footage has been collected."

Victim Mahbubur Rahman was a resident of West Maheshwarpasha in Daulatpur, Khulna. He was cleaning his car in front of his house when three assailants arrived on a motorcycle, shot him, and brutally killed him by slashing the tendons in both his legs last Friday afternoon.

Local people took him to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where physicians declared him dead.

In the aftermath of the murder, several possible motives have come under discussion, including old and new rivalries and conflicts over local dominance.

A police officer involved in the shadow investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that they are looking into multiple angles such as territorial control, filing cases against rivals, extortion, internal party feuds, drug trafficking, links with extremist groups, and the recent clash at KUET (Khulna University of Engineering & Technology).

According to police, local residents, and political sources, after the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August, Mahbub became increasingly involved in various controversial activities, including aggressive behaviour, land grabbing, and control of a land-sale syndicate.

He was known to be close to a powerful BNP leader and was also related to a leader of an extremist group, which gave him significant influence in the area.

He had ongoing disputes with several local criminal groups over territorial control. His attempts to regulate drug trade and resist extortion reportedly made him a target for multiple factions. Due to fears that he could disrupt law and order, Mahbub was also on a police watchlist. The car he had been using was recently purchased at a low price from a leader of the Jubo League, youth front of the Bangladesh Awami League.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, Mahbub’s father, Abdul Karim Molla, said, “Mahbub was outspoken. He used to protest if anyone demanded extortion money. A few criminal groups were hanging around the area—those are the ones behind this attack.”

Speaking about the incident, Mahbub’s wife, Erin Sultana, said, “He went to the KUET incident on party instructions, not for personal interest. After his friend Zakir filed a case over the Jubo Dal’s Sudhi Somabesh (civic meeting) in Maniktala, Mahbub started receiving regular threats—but he never revealed who they were from. Now I fear for my own safety.”

Azad Baig, former publicity secretary of the city’s Sramik Dal and Mahbub’s father-in-law, added, “During the clash between Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir on the KUET campus, Mahbub stood by his party as a Jubo Dal leader. That could also be a reason behind the murder. After the 5 August incident, Mahbub filed a case against Awami League leaders and activists over the vandalism of the party office. Also, after his friend Zakir filed a case regarding a brawl at a Jubo Dal civic event in Maniktala, the accused grew angry with Mahbub and started issuing threats regularly.”

Azad Baig further said, “The accused involved in the murder are relatives of Awami League leaders. They were involved in the killing of Arif in the KUET area and are also engaged in extortion. A few days ago, they shot Dilip Master. Mahbub was previously targeted when a dispute arose over the ownership of a house in the House Building area of Khanabari.”

Conversations with police, intelligence agencies, and local residents reveal that several murders have occurred in the Daulatpur, Dayana, and Teligati areas due to power struggles among extremist groups.

On 15 March, extremist leader Sheikh Shahinul Haque (known as Boro Shahin) was shot dead. Once Maheshwarpasha’s Humayun Kabir (Huma), Cross Road’s Kazi Raihan, Ghoshpora’s Asif Molla, Buchitola’s Iman Hawladar, Hossain Dhali, and Arman were in his group.

The group has now split into two factions. One is led by Humayun, with Raihan, Asif, and Iman under him. The other faction is led by Hossain Dhali and Arman.

Recently, Humayun, Raihan, Asif, and Iman were arrested in connection with an arms case in Bagerhat. Raihan and Iman have been released on bail, while the other two remain in jail. In a separate case, Hossain Dhali and Arman are also currently in prison.

Sources said that Arman is a relative of Mahbub, who used to look after the legal matters related to the cases of Hossain Dhali and Arman, which led to a conflict with the Huma group.

A close political associate of slain Mahbub told Prothom Alo, “The Huma group believed that Mahbub had turned them in. Mahbub repeatedly tried to explain that it was a misunderstanding. Despite that, the plan to kill him was made from inside the prison.”

Mir Atahar Ali, officer-in-charge (OC) of Daulatpur police station, said, “The investigation is proceeding with these underlying issues in mind. We have arrested a man named Sajal, who had provided the killers with information about Mahbub’s whereabouts. We have a fairly good idea of who was behind this. We hope to arrest the killers and uncover the full mystery of the murder very soon.”