JESSORE, Oct 23, 2025 (BSS) - Police have arrested three individuals, including the prime suspect, in connection with the murder of van driver Masum Billal alias Masud (19) in the district, and recovered the stolen battery-powered van.

Masud, a resident of Ulashi in Sharsha Upazila, went missing on October 6 after leaving home with his van. 

His semi-decomposed body was later found on October 10 at an abandoned under-construction house in Bayesha village, Jhikargachha, hanging by a rope tied around the neck. Following the discovery, Masud's father filed a murder case.

Police Inspector Md Abu Sayeed said that using technology and surveillance footage, the prime accused, Ali Hasan (25), was identified and arrested early Wednesday from Ulashi village. Based on his confession, police subsequently arrested two others involved in selling the stolen van: Md Shoriful Islam (38) and Md Kamruzzaman Sardar alias Kamrul (36) from Jugipukuria village in Satkhira.

Ali Hasan revealed that he and a fugitive accomplice pre-planned the robbery and murder. They boarded Masud's van at Sharsha Bazar, took him to the abandoned building, used a scarf to choke him, and hanged his body before fleeing with the van. The van was sold the next day to Shoriful Islam for Taka 17,000, who later sold it to Kamruzzaman Sardar for Taka 20,000. 

All three accused were produced before the court and sent to Jashore central jail today.