Shukur confesses involvement of nine

Shukur Ali, arrested in connection with Nikunja murder, gave his confessional statement in the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Shukur also confessed involvement of eight others in the killing.

Police, however, are yet to arrest Ohi, the main suspect in the killing.

Nikunja Bihari Debnath, 55, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development was stabbed to death by muggers near the Swadhinata Sangram (struggle for independence) sculpture at the road intersection between the S M Hall and Jagannath Hall on Tuesday night.

Nikunja was returning to his Azimpur residence from Kamalapur Railway Station in a rickshaw.

Shukur was taken to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court yesterday. Later, he was sent to the Dhaka Central Jail, police said.

Ramna police have so far picked up 95 people in connection with the Nikunja killing. Of them 12 have been shown arrested. According to sources, the arrested were allegedly tortured by police and forced to confess their involvement in the killing.