Plateless motorcycle found in Tongi's Mazar slum — PBI chief says it is Tahsif's; Deep gives a new account in questioning
The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has recovered a motorcycle without a number plate three and a half kilometres from the spot where the floating body of former Air Force officer Tahsif Sauri was recovered. Investigators are verifying whether the motorcycle, recovered from Tongi's Mazar slum area, is Tahsif's.
Abu Yusuf, a superintendent of police at PBI headquarters, said in a message that the motorcycle was found in the Mazar slum area, an estimated 50 yards from the Turag River. Its ownership is being verified.
PBI chief Mostafa Kamal, however, said on Friday (30 October) morning: 'We have recovered Tahsif's motorcycle.'
The floating body of Tahsif — who came into discussion as the person who filmed ousted Sheikh Hasina's departure from the country — was recovered on Wednesday (28 October) afternoon from the Rajabari Ghat area of the Turag River. That place falls under Uttarkhan police station, while the motorcycle recovery spot is under Tongi West police station. Both places, however, are connected to the Turag River.
A PBI superintendent of police said: 'The plateless motorcycle was recovered as shown by Deep. As it has no number plate, ownership is being verified. The motorcycle Tahsif took when he left home was also seen to be plateless in CCTV footage.'
Before going missing, Tahsif had left home after a call from Deep — Ahmed Shahriar Reza Deep — a younger friend. PBI Dhaka Metro North took Deep into custody on Thursday (29 October) night for questioning.
Describing overnight raids at various places with Deep, the superintendent said: 'Deep has said, "We were talking there (at the scene). At that time some people chased us. Tahsif bhai jumped into the river. And I fled." This statement by Deep, along with other information obtained in questioning, is being verified.'
Additional Inspector General of Police Mostafa Kamal said: 'After taking Deep into custody, we have obtained quite a lot of information.' He did not, however, want to disclose that information now, in the interest of the investigation.
According to Tahsif's father Enayetul Karim, Tahsif left home on Tuesday (27 October) evening after receiving a phone call from Deep. At around 1:35am he sent a message to his mother's mobile phone saying he was returning home. His father said on Thursday (29 October) at noon that Tahsif seemed hurried in the message. After that, there was no trace of Tahsif. A close relative of Tahsif, however, has claimed that the last voice message sent to his mother's phone did not sound like Tahsif's to him.
The former Air Force officer had left his home in Uttara's Diabari on his own motorcycle. When his body was recovered, naval police found a wristwatch and a wallet, but not the motorcycle.
Deep had said on Thursday (29 October) afternoon that after leaving home, they went to a garage to repair Tahsif's motorcycle. From there they had dinner at the 'Kukruku' restaurant at Ruap Shopping Complex in Uttara. They were then returning on their own motorcycles, staying together as far as the Uttara House Building area, and separated at around midnight. Deep said he then returned home himself and knew nothing more about Tahsif.
Deep has recently graduated from a university. He has said his home is in the capital's Sohrawardy Hospital area.
Mostafa Kamal said on Friday (30 October) morning that inquiries are also being made into where else Deep and Tahsif went, besides the garage and the restaurant.
