Family demands justice for Riaj

''We want justice for Riaj's murder. But so far the police have not been able to arrest Masum, the main accused in the murder case. We want the real motive behind this murder to be revealed as soon as possible," said Riaj's brother Ripon, the plaintiff in the case.

On the morning of April 19, 2019, deed writer Riaj Hawlader was killed with a sharp weapon at his home in Bukhainagar village. His wife Amina Akhtar Liza was arrested after Ripon filed a case against unknown miscreants at Kotwali police station.

At a press conference at Barisal Reporters' Unity on Monday afternoon, the plaintiff demanded proper investigation into the murder and punishment of the real culprits. In a written statement, Ripon claimed that although the murder took place on April 19, the police have not been able to unravel the mystery so far.

Ripon's statement comes after Riaj's wife, who was arrested the day after his death, filed a complaint with the district police commissioner that she was forced to confess to murdering her husband in the face of police brutality.

Meanwhile, three men were arrested by Inspector Sagir Hossain of Kawnia police station under the same case in mid-August this year, all of whom confessed to the crime.

Ripon questioned who was the real culprit, and demanded swift action from police to solve the case.

Earlier this week, Inspector Sagir told this correspondent that the victim's mobile phones were recovered after arresting the three men in August, and further information will be revealed once a charge sheet is filed as this is a sensitive case.