Miscreants kill rickshaw puller, flee with vehicle in Rajbari

The deceased was identified as Zahid Biswas, 35, son of Jamal Biswas of Jawani Para village in Ward No. 3 of Goalanda Municipality.

Police recovered his body from the roadside in the Chameli Park area under Ward No. 9 of Devgram Union at around 2:30 pm on Friday.

Locals said Zahid usually operated his battery-run rickshaw at night.

He had been out of work for four to five days after the rickshaw's battery became damaged. After borrowing money to replace the battery, he left home with the rickshaw at around 5 pm on Thursday but did not return.

When he remained missing throughout the night and until Friday afternoon, his family began searching for him.

At around 2 pm on Friday, locals spotted a body lying on the roadside slope near Chameli Park and informed police. A photo of the body was also shared on social media, prompting family members to rush to the spot, where they identified Zahid.

Rajbari Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Md Shahidul Islam and Goalanda Ghat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Shafiqul Islam visited the scene.

OC Shafiqul Islam said the body was being sent to Rajbari Sadar Hospital for an autopsy.

"The exact cause of death will be confirmed after the autopsy. However, we suspect the victim may have been killed to steal the rickshaw he was using," he said, adding that legal proceedings are underway.

Zahid is survived by his elderly parents, wife, one son and one daughter, reports UNB.