The Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police revealed on Saturday that the targeted killing of Swecchasebak Dal leader Azizur Rahman Musabbir was orchestrated by notorious underworld criminal Dilip, alias Binash.

The murder, which occurred in the capital’s Karwan Bazar area, was reportedly fueled by a violent rivalry over the control of local extortion syndicates.

Briefing reporters at the DMP Media Centre, Additional Commissioner and DB Chief Shafikul Islam stated that eight to nine organized extortion rings are currently active in the Karwan Bazar wholesale market.

Musabbir’s assassination on January 7 was a direct result of a power struggle over the illegal earnings from these syndicates. Preliminary investigations suggest that Binash, the alleged mastermind, is currently operating from abroad.

The DB chief confirmed that the total number of arrests in the case has risen to five. Following the initial arrest of four suspects—Jinnat, Abdul Kadir, Md Riaz and Md Bilal—police apprehended the second alleged shooter, Rahim, from Narsingdi on Friday morning.

CCTV footage from the crime scene near Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue played a critical role in identifying both Rahim and the previously arrested shooter, Jinnat.

Addressing questions regarding the political affiliations of the suspects, Shafikul Islam emphasized that they are primary "extortionists" rather than political activists.

He noted that such criminals frequently exploit political banners to mask their illegal activities.

The DB Chief further warned that a specialized drive will soon be launched to dismantle the remaining extortion syndicates in Karwan Bazar to restore order in the city's largest kitchen market.

With Inputs from UNB