Murder Case Accused SI Akbar Flees to India After Getting Bail

Sub-Inspector (SI) Akbar Hossain, accused in a high-profile murder case, has fled to India after being granted bail. It has been confirmed that he crossed the Akhaura border on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, around 8:30 PM. Sources indicate that a significant amount of money was involved in facilitating his escape.

Five years ago, SI Akbar, then in charge of Bandar Bazar Police Outpost in Sylhet, brutally beat Rayhan Ahmed to death. The sensational case had reached the stage of final arguments, with a verdict expected any day. However, on August 4, 2025, Akbar secured bail from the High Court and was released from Sylhet prison on Sunday, August 9. Just days later, on Tuesday night, he fled to India via the Akhaura border.

The bail decision had already sparked controversy in Sylhet, with senior lawyer Joynul Abedin, a leader of the Nationalist Lawyers’ Forum, involved in the process. Rayhan’s mother had expressed despair upon learning of the bail, fearing that Akbar would flee the country. Her fears were realized within 24 hours. In 2020, shortly after the murder on October 10, Akbar was arrested at the Kanaighat border while attempting to flee to India. He had been in custody since then. Meanwhile, another accused, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Ashik Elahi, is reportedly likely to secure bail soon. Other co-accused remain at large, with one reportedly in the United States, one in France, and two in the Middle East, according to various sources. On the night of October 10, 2020, Rayhan Ahmed was taken to Bandar Bazar Police Outpost in Sylhet and tortured. He died the following day, October 11. Rayhan’s wife filed a case under the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act. Two days later, on October 12, SI Akbar and three others were suspended, and three others were withdrawn from duty. The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) arrested three individuals, including Constable Harun, and later apprehended Akbar on November 9 at the Kanaighat border.

On May 5, 2021, the PBI submitted a charge sheet to the court, naming SI Akbar Hossain Bhuiyan (32), then in charge of Bandar Bazar Police Outpost, as the prime accused. Other accused include ASI Ashik Elahi, Constable Harun Or Rashid, Titu Chandra Das, SI Hasan Uddin, and Abdulllah Al Noman, a journalist from Companiganj Upazila and relative of Akbar.