Three suspects arrested in Bangladesh MP's murder in Kolkata

KOLKATA: Three people were arrested in the murder of Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim Anar (56) inside an apartment in Kolkata. The MP was on a visit to West Bengal for his treatment. Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Wednesday identified the suspects in the case as ‘Bangladeshis’ and said it was a planned murder.

Anwarul Azim, a senior leader of Bangladesh's ruling Awami League party, has been elected three times as MP. He represented the Jhenaidah Mandal, which is known to house notorious criminals.

Anwarul Azim Anar reached Kolkata on the 12th of this month. The body was found under mysterious circumstances in a luxury flat in Newtown on Wednesday. The reason for the murder is still unknown. The MP first lived at his friend Gopal Biswas's house and on the afternoon of the 13th, along with his friends, he went to a house in Bidhan Nagar for a medical examination. Friends say that was the last time they saw him.

Relatives in Dhaka had informed their friends in Kolkata about Azim’s scheduled visit to Delhi after completing his engagements in Kolkata. On the 16th morning, Azim dialed his PA but the call was left unattended. The PA later dialled back but this time the call was left unanswered.

On the 18th, Gopal Biswas filed a complaint with the Bidhan Nagar police after his daughter also informed him that she could not contact Azim on the phone.

The body was found in the flat he had rented for some time. Other residents told investigators that some people frequented the place. Meanwhile, the MP's family met Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to complain and request to intervene at the diplomatic level.

India and Bangladesh have launched a joint investigation into the death of MP. Azim's family members will reach Kolkata for the proceedings. He was a frequent traveller to Kolkata.