BJP Booth President Bikash Dhar Murder: Police Identify Main Accused, Six Detained

Police have identified Abdul Haque as the main accused in the alleged murder of 52-year-old BJP booth president Bikash Dhar, whose body was recovered from an abandoned house in Yogichhara near the Tripura border on Friday (August 14), Sribhumi SSP Leena Doley said while addressing the media.

According to the SSP, police picked up five people after analysing the call detail records (CDR) of the mobile phone number linked to the missing case. During interrogation, Abdul Haque allegedly confessed to killing Dhar with the help of another person, the SSP said. She added that the second person had fled and was later traced to Tripura.

Dhar, a resident of Chhagalmowa village under Bazarichhara police station, had been missing since Wednesday (August 12) afternoon. According to the information available to police, he had left his home on a motorcycle after receiving a phone call and did not return. His mobile phone was also switched off.

Police later recovered his body from an abandoned house in the Yogichhara area under Loairpoa Gaon Panchayat, close to the Tripura border. The body reportedly bore multiple injury marks and was sent for post-mortem examination.

SSP Doley said the investigation began as soon as police received information about Dhar’s disappearance. Police visited his residence, spoke to family members and began analysing the phone records as part of the investigation.

She said the alleged motive being examined by police relates to an earlier feud between Dhar and Abdul Haque. According to the SSP, Haque had accused Dhar of having wronged him. However, the exact circumstances and motive behind the alleged murder remain subject to the ongoing investigation.

The SSP also said a police personnel was injured while police were trying to apprehend one of the accused as he attempted to flee. Earlier reports had said that police opened fire while trying to stop the suspect, resulting in an injury to his leg.

The recovery of Dhar’s body has caused tension in the area. Local MLA and Minister of State Krishnendu Paul had visited Dhar’s family on Thursday (August 13) after learning about his disappearance and had urged the police and district administration to take steps to trace him.

SSP Doley appealed to people to maintain peace and allow the police to complete the investigation.

Police are continuing their investigation into the alleged murder and the involvement of the other suspects. The allegations against the detained persons are subject to the outcome of the investigation and due legal process.