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One and a half months after a listed "top criminal" was shot dead in Dhaka’s New Market area, investigators have yet to identify the shooters or make any arrests. The probe is hampered by the failure to recover the victim’s mobile phone and a lack of clear information about his communication network.

The victim’s elder brother and the plaintiff in the case, Khandakar Sayeed Akhter Ripon, told The Daily Star that he has not been able to frequently visit Dhaka from Jashore due to his business commitments. He added that no investigator had contacted the family since the case was filed. "Had we been able to pursue the matter closely from the beginning, perhaps there would have been some progress and the accused might have been arrested by now," he said.

Titon was shot dead near Dhaka University’s Shahnewaz Hostel on April 28. The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Ramna Division is investigating. Investigators initially focused on technology-based methods, but the inability to recover Titon’s mobile phone, suspected to have been taken by the shooters, became a major obstacle.

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Had we been able to pursue the matter closely from the beginning, perhaps there would have been some progress and the accused might have been arrested by now.

According to investigation officials, the plaintiff stated that Titon primarily used online applications for communication, making it difficult to trace his contacts and recent activities. DB Sub-Inspector Irfan Ahmed, the investigating officer, said detectives are examining numerous mobile phone numbers active in the area at the time of the murder. "Alongside technological analysis, conventional investigation is also underway based on various clues. However, no one has been identified so far," he said.

CCTV footage analysis traced the suspected killers' movements up to Rayerbazar before they fled towards Mohammadpur, but their route was lost thereafter. Efforts are now focused on manual investigation. While Picchi Helal and associates were named as suspects, investigators have found no evidence linking the murder to cattle market disputes. DB officials suggest the murder may stem from internal underworld disputes, including conflicts over arms trading and territory with his brother-in-law.

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Alongside technological analysis, conventional investigation is also underway based on various clues. However, no one has been identified so far.