Investigative material sparks inquiry into the slaying of reporter Tuhin in Gazipur district
Journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin's murder in August 2025 has sparked a probe into an alleged organized plot linked to his filming of a violent assault. Evidence suggests a premeditated, coordinated attack to silence him for recording a group of armed men assaulting another individual [1][3][5].
Key details supporting an organized plot include multiple attackers armed with machetes who chased Tuhin into a tea shop before killing him, indicating coordination and the use of lethal force [1][5]. Authorities have arrested at least eight suspects, including a reported mastermind named Faisal alias Ketu Mizan, with video evidence identifying the accused [2][4]. The suspects have multiple pending cases, suggesting their involvement in criminal networks rather than a random act.
The motive linked to Tuhin's journalism and documenting criminal activity is clear, as he had filmed the men assaulting another person, and the assailants ordered him to delete the video but he refused, leading to his murder [1][3]. Current official investigations and press reports have not uncovered evidence supporting alternative or unrelated motives, such as personal disputes or political reasons. Instead, the attack is seen as a brutal retaliation to suppress independent journalistic exposure of violence and possibly gang-related actions in Bangladesh [1][3][5].
There are broader concerns about press safety, as Tuhin’s murder follows other recent violent incidents against journalists in Bangladesh under similar circumstances of retaliation for investigative reporting [3].
The police believe Tuhin's murder might be part of a larger, organized plot. A committee has been formed to support the investigation officer and provide necessary guidance [6]. One accused, Al Amin, denies involvement and claims he was framed [7]. Three to four suspects are expected to give confessional statements by the end of the remand period [8]. The missing mobile phones of Tuhin are a key element in the investigation as they could reveal the true motive behind the murder [9].
Al Amin alleges that local figures named Arif, Momtaz, and "Black Shaheen" hired him and others for Tk7,000 to carry out the attack on Badsha Mia, but he did not participate himself [10]. "Black Shaheen" faces 19 criminal cases and reportedly has links to a former Gazipur mayor [11].
Tuhin's murder occurred at 6:45 pm [12]. The police released footage of a confrontation between Badsha and a woman named Golapi, allegedly trying to lure him into a honeytrap, followed by an assault on Badsha by a group armed with knives and machetes [13]. A man named Badsha Mia was violently attacked with a sharp weapon inside a pharmacy near Shapla Mansion, west of Chandana Chowrasta, on an unspecified date [14].
Many suggest there may be other motives behind the killing, beyond the police's honeytrap theory [15]. Gazipur Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (Administration) Md Zahidul Hasan has stated that the murder case is a top priority for the police [16]. Tuhin, a staff reporter for Dainik Protidiner Kagoj, lived in Gazipur with his wife and two young sons [17].
The second video released Saturday shows seven suspects inside a police van during transport [18]. The court has granted a two-day remand for each of the seven arrested suspects [19]. Locals and observers find it difficult to reconcile the timeline of the events, with Tuhin's murder taking place on the opposite side of Chandana Chowrasta from the earlier attack on Badsha [20].
As Tuhin's case unfolds, the investigation continues to focus on the organized nature of the attack, with no credible competing theories publicly identified at this time. Law enforcement is actively pursuing suspects and pressing for accountability under this framework [1][2][4][5].
The murder of journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin, linked to his coverage of crime-and-justice, has prompted a probe into an organized plot, with evidence suggesting a premeditated, coordinated attack. Authorities are investigating multiple attackers armed with machetes, indicating a possible connection to general-news and politics, as Tuhin was filming a violent assault by armed men. The case is a top priority for law enforcement, who are actively pursuing suspects and pressing for accountability in this organized crime case.