The murder case of former Awami League MP Anwarul Azim Anar, who was brutally killed in Kolkata, remains mired in mystery, with key suspects still at large despite multiple arrests.
Law enforcement agencies in both Bangladesh and India have yet to fully unravel the conspiracy behind the killing, which has led to the apprehension of 11 individuals across the two countries. However, two primary figures—Anar’s Indian associate, Gopal Biswas, and Bangladeshi gold smuggler, Dilip Kumar Agarwala—remain elusive.
Sources close to the investigation reveal that Dilip Kumar Agarwala, a prominent businessman and Managing Director of Diamond World, was not publicly named despite his involvement being unearthed during the investigation. This omission is reportedly due to the intervention of former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. As a result, Dilip, who is believed to have masterminded the murder, has successfully evaded prosecution.
Anar, who had a longstanding friendship with Gopal Biswas, a gold trader in Bangladesh, traveled to Kolkata on May 12 for medical treatment. He stayed at Gopal’s residence in Mandalpara Lane, Barahanagar. Anar was last seen leaving Gopal’s house the following afternoon, only to disappear mysteriously.
Investigators have discovered that Anar, who represented Jhenaidah-4 in Parliament, had dominated the smuggling operations along the borders of Jhikargacha in Jashore, Maheshpur in Jhenaidah, and Jibon Nagar and Darshana in Chuadanga for over two decades. Prominent figures, including Dilip Agarwala, former Jashore-6 MP Shaheen Chakladar, and Jhenaidah Awami League General Secretary Saidul Karim Mintoo, were heavily invested in Anar's smuggling ventures.
However, in 2020, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) began to intercept regular gold shipments from this network, sparing only those linked to Anar. In response, Dilip Agarwala and his syndicate employed various strategies to reclaim their influence over border operations, none of which proved successful. The syndicate then turned its attention to Anar’s childhood friend and business partner, US expatriate Akhtaruzzaman Shaheen, to further their aims.
The syndicate's dominance was further reinforced through substantial investments in local elections, securing victories for their preferred candidates. Between 2019 and January 2024, the BGB seized significant quantities of gold at the Chuadanga, Maheshpur, and Jibon Nagar borders, most of which were linked to Dilip’s syndicate.
In 2024, Dilip Agarwala ran as an independent candidate in the general election after failing to secure an Awami League nomination. However, his campaign was hindered by Anar’s close relationship with former Chuadanga Sadar MP Solaiman Haque Joarder Selun. Following his electoral defeat, Dilip’s syndicate allegedly plotted Anar’s murder, holding secret meetings at various locations, including Shaheen's residence in Kotchandpur, Jhenaidah. Despite Anar’s strong connections within the administration, the syndicate ultimately succeeded in their deadly plan in Kolkata.
A fugitive Awami League leader from Jhenaidah, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, “Indian gold trader Gopal Biswas had close ties with our businessman Dilip Agarwala. Several of those arrested in connection with MP Anar’s murder had strong links to Dilip. If Dilip is arrested and interrogated, much more about the murder will come to light.”
Efforts to contact Dilip Kumar Agarwala for his comments were unsuccessful, as his phone remained switched off. Attempts to reach him at his Diamond World business in Dhaka and his residence in Chuadanga also proved futile.
BDST: 1404 HRS, AUG 28, 2024
SMS
