Wasim Murder Case Suspect Given Senior NCP Post: A Reward for His Role in July Killing? Who Really Killed Wasim?

❐ Staff correspondent

The appointment of AKM Ziauddin alias Zia Rony, one of the accused in the murder case of Chhatra Dal leader Wasim, the first person killed in the July clashes in Chittagong, to an important position in the Chittagong Metropolitan Committee of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has sparked intense debate and anger.

Already, questions have been raised in the political arena across the city, is such a promotion a reward for a murder suspect? So who are Wasim’s real killers?

The family of the deceased and local political leadership have expressed anger over the appointment of the accused, who was arrested in a murder case and released on bail, as the joint convener of the NCP’s Chittagong Metropolitan Committee.

On July 16, 2024, Chhatra Dal leader Wasim Akram was shot while carrying out violence in Muradpur area of ​​Chittagong. He was rescued in a critical condition and taken to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Later, on August 18 of that year, the mother of the deceased Wasim, Mosammat Josna Akhter, filed a murder case with Panchlaish Model Police Station as the plaintiff.

In continuation of the investigation, the police arrested AKM Ziauddin on June 23, 2025 and produced him in court the next day on June 24. Although his name was not mentioned in the original case report, he was arrested based on CCTV footage and information obtained during the investigation. He was released on bail from the court on July 7, 2025.

This AKM Ziauddin, known as ‘Zia Roni’, was nominated as the joint convener of the Chittagong Metropolitan Convening Committee of the NCP approved on May 14, 2026. After analyzing multiple documents and information, it has been confirmed that Ziauddin, who was arrested in the Wasim murder case, and Zia Roni of the newly formed committee of the NCP are the same person.

When asked about his NCP post, AKM Ziauddin claimed that he had been excluded from the charge sheet. However, his claim was rejected by Nuruzzaman, the investigation officer of the case and Panchlaish Police Station Sub-Inspector.

He said the investigation report of the case has not yet been submitted to the court and no application has been made to drop any accused. The final investigation report will be submitted only after the forensic process is completed.

Wasim’s father Shafiul Alam has expressed extreme anger and dissatisfaction over the appointment of the accused in his son’s murder to a political position.

He further said that he has not joined any political party; however, a video of a courtesy call has been used to misleadingly spread that he has joined the NCP. He demanded a fair and impartial trial of the son murder from the government.

On the other hand, Zahir Uddin Babar, joint convener of Chittagong Metropolitan Chhatra Dal, alleged that by giving the accused in the murder case a post in the committee, the NCP has essentially betrayed the spirit of July and the blood of the deceased.

In the face of controversy, NCP Organizing Secretary Shujauddin said that the matter has come to his attention and detailed discussions are underway at the metropolitan level. He said that the facts of the case and the legal position will be clarified by talking to lawyers.