Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday expressed grief over the death of her party leader and the nation's MP Anwarul Azim (Anar), reported the country's news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sanstha. Azim, who had been missing since May 14, was allegedly murdered in Kolkata's New Town area. He had come to India on May 12 for medical treatment.
Sheikh Hasina, in a condolence message to Anwarul Azim's family, prayed for the peace of his soul. The Kolkata Police found the body of the three-time MP from a New Town flat, the report said. His personal secretary had earlier told Dhaka Tribune that he had been out of contact with his family since May 14. On Wednesday, he was quoted, citing Kolkata Police, by BSS as saying: "The body of Anwarul Azim was recovered by Indian police from Sonjiva Garden at New Town of Kolkata."
Azim was putting up at his friend Gopal Biswas's place in North 24 Parganas district's Baranagar. He went out on May 13 supposedly to visit a doctor, but did not return. With no clue of his whereabouts, a general diary about his disappearance was filed by Gopal Biswas with the Baranagar Police in North Kolkata on May 18.
Sources within the Bangladesh police told ABP Ananda that three individuals were taken in custody in connection to the incident, with the detainees purportedly confessing to the 'crime'. However, the MP's remains have not been located yet. A collaborative investigation is underway, involving law enforcement agencies from both Bangladesh and India.
According to Bangladesh police sources speaking to ABP Ananda, traces of blood were discovered in a flat within the Sanjeeva Gardens apartment complex in New Town, where the MP was last seen.
The circumstances surrounding Anwarul Azim Anar's disappearance and the alleged murder still remain unclear. Citing sources from the Bangladesh Home Ministry, ABP Ananda reported suspicions that his body might have been dismembered and disposed of.
Reports indicate that the Kolkata Police commenced their search for the MP following reports of his mysterious disappearance. The vehicle he used was found by authorities in New Town. Acting on information provided by the three individuals detained in Bangladesh, the Bidhannagar Commissionerate police in Kolkata conducted a search of an apartment in New Town on Wednesday.
Police sources revealed that CCTV footage from the apartment depicted the three individuals departing the flat alongside the MP, but Anwarul Azim Anar was not seen leaving. Investigators found dried blood stains on the floor and in the basin of the apartment, leading them to suspect foul play and suggesting that the MP may have been slain and his body concealed within the apartment complex.