Scuffle during mugging led to biker’s murder

A Tk 50 ride on contract became the last trip for biker Milon Sheikh, who was killed by a mugger posing as a pillion passenger on Malibagh-Mouchak flyover on August 26.

Milon picked up Nur Uddin alias Sumon on his bike from Malibagh’s Abul Hotel area to take him to Gulistan around 2:15am. When they reached the middle of the flyover, Sumon told him to stop and let him drive the bike.

A scuffle ensued between the two. Sumon slit Milon’s throat with a paper cutter knife, and fled the spot with the latter’s bike and mobile phone.

This came to light after the detective branch (DB) of police arrested the alleged murderer from Shahjahanpur area of the capital around 3am yesterday, said Abdul Baten, additional commissioner (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) at a press briefing held at DMP Media Centre.

Police also recovered the rider’s Dayang-150cc motorcycle, Samsung J-5 mobile phone, and two helmets from Sumon’s possession.

“Sumon admitted to the crime during primary interrogation,” the DB official said, adding that the arrestee was earlier involved in small theft but has no previous criminal record with any police station.

Sumon also gave confessional statement before a Dhaka court yesterday afternoon.

Investigation officer of the case produced Sumon before the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Baki Billah and pleaded to record his statement. Accepting the plea, the court recorded his statement under section 164 and sent him to jail afterwards. 

Police primarily suspect Sumon was the only killer and his motive was to snatch the bike.

Law enforcers said many motorbikers nowadays do not use apps of the ride-sharing services, and pick up pillion passengers on contract -- posing a serious security concern for both.

Milon, 35, who used to work for different ride-sharing services, was also not using any app while providing service that night.

The DB official said all stakeholders, including law enforcers and ride-sharing companies, should take steps on illegal use of motorbikes.

A few months after the Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover opened to traffic in October 2017, it was left in darkness, literally -- putting commuters at risk.

There are CCTV cameras at the entry and exit points of the flyover, but no camera covers the spot where Milon was killed, according to police.

Asked about it, the DB official said it is better to ask the city authorities this question.

On August 26, a wounded Milon clutched his slashed throat and ran down the flyover, before collapsing in front of the traffic police box at Shantinagar intersection. He succumbed to his injuries at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases.

Hailing from Bhola, Milon used to live with his wife and two children in a rented flat at Gudaraghat area of Mirpur. Besides working for ride-sharing services, Milon -- an aspiring actor -- also made videos for a YouTube channel as a performing artist, said his wife.