Imam found dead

Police yesterday recovered the body of an imam of a mosque hanging from a tree at Debottar village in Sadullapur upazila.

The deceased, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, 49, a resident of Mohipur Uttarpara village in the upazila, used to serve as the imam of Gaberdighi Jame Masjid in Palashbari upazila of the district.

Deceased’s family members alleged that Azad left his home for Gaberdighi mosque around 11:00am on Friday and did not returned home.

Despite repeated attempts, family members could not reach him as his mobile phone was found switched off.

Locals spotted Azad’s body hanging from a mango tree yesterday morning and informed police, who recovered the body and sent it to Gaibandha Sadar Hospital for autopsy.   

Meanwhile, deceased’s wife Laboni Begum filed a case with Sadullapur Police Station yesterday accusing some unidentified people.

According to the case statement, Azad borrowed Tk 20,000 from local money lender Shaharul about eight months ago and recently repaid the money.

On Wednesday, an altercation took place between Azad and Shaharul when the latter along with his two men appeared at Azad’s house and demanded high amount of interest against the borrowed money.

At one stage, Shaharul threatened Azad with dare consequence and left the place.

Officer in Charge of Sadullapur Police Station Masud Rana said they were trying to find the motive behind the murder and arrest the culprits.