A filling station worker was killed after being run over by a luxury vehicle in Rajbari early Friday morning, allegedly following a dispute over unpaid fuel bills.
Police have detained Abul Hashem Sujon, a local contractor and former president of the Rajbari district unit of Jubo Dal, along with his driver, Kamal Hossain, in connection with the incident.
The Incident
The tragedy occurred around 4:30 AM on Friday (January 16) at Karim Filling Station near the Goalanda Mor area on the Dhaka-Khulna highway. The victim, identified as Ripon Saha (30), was the son of Pabitra Saha from the Sahapara area of Khankhanapur in Rajbari Sadar.
According to witnesses and CCTV footage, a black SUV arrived at the station and took fuel worth Tk 5,000. Abul Hashem Sujon was reportedly seen present at the scene while Ripon Saha refueled the vehicle.
When the driver attempted to speed away without paying the bill, Ripon Saha chased the vehicle and stood in its path to stop it. The driver allegedly ran over him and fled the scene, leaving Ripon Saha with fatal head and facial injuries. He died on the spot.
Police Action
Confirming the arrests, Khondakar Ziaur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Rajbari Sadar Police Station, stated that the incident was not a simple accident.
“This appears to be a deliberate act. The worker stood in front of the car after they refused to pay for the fuel, and they ran him over before fleeing,” said OC Khondakar Ziaur Rahman.
He added that a case involving charges of murder and fraud has been filed by the victim’s brother.
Md Mizanur Rahman, OC of Ahladipur Highway Police Station, noted that Ripon Saha‘s body was recovered from the highway shortly after the vehicle fled.
Political Clarification
While several media outlets initially identified Abul Hashem Sujon as the current president of the district Jubo Dal, local BNP leadership has distanced the party from him.
Khairul Anam Bakul, the Convener of Rajbari District BNP, clarified that Abul Hashem Sujon had resigned from his party position a long time ago through a formal press conference and is currently not associated with the organization.
The body of Ripon Saha has been sent to the Rajbari Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy.
