Sylhet: Friend Murdered Over iPhone Temptation, One Arrested

In a joint operation, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) units 9 and 14 have apprehended a fugitive suspect in connection with the murder of Imon Ahmed in Sylhet’s Beanibazar upazila. The arrested individual, Sajidul Islam Munna, hails from Delutia village under Ghatail police station in Tangail district.

RAB officials stated that Munna was arrested on Friday during a targeted operation in Kadamtali, under the jurisdiction of Ghatail Police Station. Following his apprehension, he was handed over to Beanibazar Police Station to undergo further legal proceedings.

According to police sources, the victim, Imon Ahmed, was a resident of Namnagar area in Khshir, Beanibazar. He was reported missing by his family on 7 December 2025 after leaving his home and failing to return. A general diary was lodged at the local police station.

Investigations revealed that Munna, along with at least one accomplice, had premeditatedly lured Imon to a pond-side area in Shaleshwar, Sheola Union. There, the victim was strangled to death, his hands and feet bound, and his body disposed of in the pond in an attempt to conceal the crime. During the attack, Imon’s iPhone 15 Pro Max was forcibly taken by the perpetrators.

The body of Imon Ahmed, with hands and feet bound, was recovered by police from the Shaleshwar pond on 10 December. Following this discovery, Imon’s brother filed a murder case at Beanibazar Police Station. Earlier in the investigation, police had arrested another suspect, Ashraful, in connection with the crime.

Authorities believe that the murder stemmed from a personal dispute over an iPhone, highlighting the fatal consequences of social tensions and material disputes. Police have assured the public that the investigation is ongoing and further arrests may follow as they seek to bring all responsible parties to justice.

Incident Summary Table

The case has drawn attention across the region for its shocking brutality, prompting calls for heightened vigilance regarding personal conflicts and social disputes.