Akash Mondal, also known as Irfan, was arrested in Bagerhat for his involvement in the murder of seven individuals aboard the MV Al Bakhera ship on the Meghna River in Chandpur, according to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). RAB stated that Irfan killed the ship’s captain due to a personal grudge and then attacked the other seven individuals on board to cover up his crime, resulting in six deaths and one individual undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
The MV Al Bakhera, owned by Brishti Enterprise, was transporting fertilizer when it was discovered anchored in the Meghna River with eight workers on board. Five workers were found with their throats slit, while three others were rescued in critical condition. Following the incident, RAB increased its intelligence surveillance and conducted a joint raid with the Detective Branch of RAB Headquarters, RAB-11, and RAB-6, leading to Irfan’s arrest in Bagerhat’s Chitalmari.
During the interrogation, Irfan revealed that the workers on the ship did not receive holidays, salary, or bonuses on time. He claimed that the ship’s master, Kibria, would keep the workers’ money for himself and mistreated them without cause. Irfan harbored resentment towards Kibria and planned to teach him a lesson, which culminated in the tragic events aboard the MV Al Bakhera. The bodies of the victims were returned to their families, and three separate investigation committees have been formed to look into the incident.
