Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Saturday said India will lead investigation into the murder of Jhenaidah-4 Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Anwarul Azim Anar.
He made the disclosure in response to questions from journalists after the final phase of the “Our Bangabandhu” speech competition and prize distribution ceremony, held at Dhaka University TSC Auditorium on Saturday afternoon.
The minister pointed out, “The lawmaker was killed in India. So the main case in connection with the murder was filed in India. The United States has a prisoner exchange agreement with India.
“In our country, we would have to initiate a process of bringing the accused home. They [India] filed the original case. We have filed a second case.”
He added, “One person involved in this murder has fled to Nepal. We are taking all necessary measures to bring him back. We still cannot say for sure where Akhtaruzzaman Shahin, the mastermind behind MP Anwarul Azim Anar's murder, currently is.
“India will investigate the main case of MP Azim murder. If they involve us in this case, we will go there and investigate. Action will be taken against those who were involved and cooperated in this brutal murder as per existing laws.”
Azim, a three-time MP and also president of Kaliganj upazila unit Awami League, went to India on May 12 on a personal visit to receive treatment. He went missing on May 13 after going out of the flat where he was residing in Kolkata’s Borah Nagar area.
According to the Kolkata police sources, Anwarul was taken to a flat in New Town in Kolkata, where he is believed to be strangled to death and his body was cut into pieces.
On a separate note, Asaduzzaman said the police force will not shoulder the responsibility of corruption committed by former IGP Benazir Ahmed, adding, “If former IGP Benazir Ahmed is corrupt, it is his personal matter.
“The police will not take responsibility for this. What he did will be known after the investigation.”
Commenting on the news of Benazir going to Singapore, Asaduzzaman said, "There are no restrictions imposed on him. I heard that he left the country before that could be done. I do not know anything about his departure.
“I will comment on the matter after learning further details.”
