Tahsif Death Case: Young Woman Arrested After Dip, Both on Four-Day Remand

CCTV cameras at a restaurant in Uttara had captured three people entering and leaving together. One of them was former air force flight lieutenant K M Tahsif Sauri. The other two were his junior friend Ahmed Shahriar Reza Dip and a young woman described as Dip's girlfriend. What happened after they left the restaurant on the night of Tuesday, October 27, is still unclear. Tahsif's body was found in the Turag River the following afternoon.

Days after Dip's arrest, river police arrested the young woman as well on Saturday night. Both are now on four-day remand. But when asked where Tahsif went that last night, why he went, who was with him and how he died, river police officials say the investigation is ongoing and details will be given once it is complete.

New information emerging in the investigation, CCTV footage and inconsistencies in the suspects' statements are making the mystery of the death increasingly complex. Dip claims that on seeing two men who looked like police officers, they ran; Tahsif jumped into the river while Dip managed to escape. The arrested young woman claims she had been dropped home before the incident.

According to those involved, investigators are questioning the two about the mismatch between Dip's account as the person who gave a direct description of the incident and the information found in the investigation, as well as the young woman's presence identified in CCTV footage. River police say some important information has been obtained, but the actual cause of death or those responsible cannot yet be finally determined on its basis.

The latest major development came with the arrest of the young woman (19). River police arrested her from her home in the capital's Kafrul area at around 2 a.m. on Saturday night (October 31). Produced before court on Sunday (November 1), the case's investigating officer, Inspector Firoz Uddin of the Tongi river police outpost, sought seven days' remand. After the hearing, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Ripon Hossain granted four days' remand. Earlier, on Saturday, the court had also granted Dip four days' remand.

The police remand application says that by analysing information technology and CCTV footage from various places, investigators found evidence of the arrested young woman moving with Tahsif before the incident. Besides going to Uttara's Nest Bar and Restaurant, they were also traced at CP Five Star Snacks and a motorcycle garage. Police also claim that analysis of Tahsif's mobile phone call detail records (CDR) shows multiple phone conversations with the young woman.

In the application, the investigating officer listed six reasons for questioning her, including unravelling the mystery of the death, identifying other unnamed accused, recovering evidence, determining the possible scene of the incident, and checking the consistencies and inconsistencies between her statement and Dip's. Police claim initial investigation has yielded some information about her possible involvement.

The arrested woman's lawyer, Shahriar Rahman Sihab, opposed the remand application in court. He claimed she had been dropped home at around midnight on the night of the incident, and that Tahsif afterwards sent a message to his mother — arguing that Tahsif was alive at that time. He also told the court that bringing charges against her merely on the basis of her presence in restaurant CCTV footage needs further verification. After hearing both sides, the court granted four days' remand.

According to investigators, on October 27 at 6:24 p.m., Dip entered the garage of Karabi Bhaban of the Rajuk Apartment Project in Uttara's Sector 18 on a motorcycle. A while later Tahsif came down. At 6:31 p.m., they were seen leaving on two separate motorcycles.

Later, at 10:17 p.m., Tahsif was traced at Uttara's Nest Restaurant and Bar. According to the CCTV footage description, the arrested young woman was with him. Dip later arrived there on a separate motorcycle. At 11:51 p.m., the three were seen leaving the restaurant.

After leaving the restaurant and dropping the young woman home, Tahsif and Dip headed towards Tongi. Investigators are looking for answers to where they went before reaching Tongi's Mazar Basti area, whether they contacted anyone, and what the purpose of going to that area was.

Another key issue in the investigation has become Dip's contradictory statements. After the incident, he told journalists that after having dinner at a restaurant in Uttara, he parted from Tahsif in the House Building area, and did not know where Tahsif went afterwards. But in PBI questioning, Dip gave different information. According to this version, after midnight he went with Tahsif to the Mazar Basti area of Tongi. There, on seeing several people including two who looked like police officers, they ran. At one point Tahsif jumped into the Turag River, Dip claimed, while he himself hid at a spot on the riverbank.

The truth of Dip's account has not yet been confirmed. PBI Dhaka Metro North Additional DIG Md Enayet Hossain Mannan earlier said it is being verified whether the people Dip claimed were police members were actually police at all, and that every piece of information he provided is being examined separately.

River police Dhaka region superintendent Abdullah Al Mamun said primary evidence of Dip's involvement in Tahsif's death has been found and he is being questioned in detail on remand. However, he said not all information can be disclosed now in the interest of the investigation.

The last voice message sent to Tahsif's mother is receiving special importance in the investigation. According to the case statement filed by the family, as her son did not return home at night, the mother tried repeatedly to contact him. Later, at 1:35 a.m., a voice message arrived on Messenger from Tahsif's phone saying, "On my way, coming." The message's digital data, the location records of Tahsif's mobile phone and CCTV footage from the relevant time could become important in the investigation. In particular, confirming when the message was recorded and when it was sent could clarify the sequence of events of that last night.

Another important piece of evidence in the investigation is the motorcycle Tahsif used. Based on information from Dip, PBI officials visited the Mazar Basti and riverbank areas of Tongi last Friday. A black Suzuki Gixxer motorcycle was recovered from there. How the motorcycle is connected to Tahsif's death, who used it last and how it reached the scene are being verified.

Meanwhile, the inquest report on the body mentioned no externally visible injury marks, although there is information about bleeding from the nose. Samples from Tahsif's stomach, liver, kidney and blood have been sent for testing. The full autopsy report will be prepared after the results arrive.

Tahsif's father has filed a murder case with the capital's Uttarkhan police station against unidentified persons. The river police are investigating the case. Alongside, the information and evidence initially collected by the PBI are also receiving importance in the investigation. River police chief Additional IGP Md Rezaul Karim said Tahsif Sauri's death is being investigated with importance, keeping all aspects in mind. It would not be right to say anything at this stage of the investigation; if there is visible progress, the media will be informed.