Three arrested over killing of BNP leader after World Cup dispute meeting

Police in Dhaka have detained three suspects in connection with the killing of Saddam Hossain, a local BNP leader, who was fatally stabbed in Adabor on Wednesday. The arrested individuals, identified as Shoaib, 19, Arman, 19, and Nayan, 19, were apprehended in the Nabodoy Housing area. Authorities stated that the deadly assault stemmed from an arbitration meeting convened to settle a disagreement arising from the World Cup match between Brazil and Japan.

The incident unfolded around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday when a group of youths attacked BNP President Saddam Hossain, 35, and General Secretary Abul Bashar Badsha, 30, with knives and machetes during the mediation session. Both leaders sustained critical injuries and were transported to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital. Badsha was later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries around 11:30 p.m.

According to police, the conflict began on June 29. Habibur Rahman, a BNP member from Adabor thana, allegedly slapped Ripon, the son of a local trader, during an argument that followed the match. This incident escalated into a dispute between the families of Ripon and Habibur. One of the detainees, Nayan, is reportedly a cousin of the victim's brother, Md Kanchan, who claims Nayan is innocent and was caught up in the situation while attempting to intervene.

Md Johny, a relative of the deceased, stated that Badsha, a private car driver, was on duty until approximately 8:00 p.m. and went to the meeting after receiving a phone call. Johny alleged that the attack was led by Mohammad Masum, a former joint convener of the Swechhasebak League's Adabor thana unit, who is now involved in local BNP politics and reportedly operates a teen gang. Masum and Ripon could not be reached for comment. Police have not yet filed a case and are working to apprehend additional suspects.