Anwarul Azim Anar, a Member of Parliament from Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League, was found murdered in Kolkata on May 22. Anar, representing the Jhenaidah-4 constituency, had been missing since May 13. He entered India on May 12 for medical treatment and was last seen on May 13 in Bidhannagar, Kolkata.
Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan described the murder as “planned” and involving Bangladeshi suspects. The motive and Anar’s body’s whereabouts remain unknown.
Anar’s disappearance was first reported by his family friend, Gopal Viswas, who filed a missing complaint at Baranagar police station in Bidhannagar after Anar’s daughter couldn’t contact him. Reports indicate Anar told his family he would be traveling to Delhi but lost contact after May 13.
Anar attempted to call his assistant on May 16 but failed. The missing complaint was officially filed on May 18. An SIT (Special Investigation Team) was formed, and the West Bengal government received a letter from the Ministry of External Affairs to investigate.
CID IG Akhilesh Kumar Chaturvedi confirmed the murder and noted police were unaware of Anar’s presence until Viswas’s complaint on May 18.
Anar, a frequent traveler to Kolkata, had good relations with locals, including Viswas. Bangladesh’s Press Minister Shaban Mahmood stated that, despite confirmation of the murder, Bangladeshi authorities had not received official information from India.
Anar’s family is expected in Kolkata soon to complete formalities, with their visa process underway. The murder investigation continues, with cooperation between Indian and Bangladeshi authorities.
While tragic, the incident is not expected to impact India-Bangladesh relations, as it is considered a probable personal matter, according to the Bangladeshi minister at the embassy in Delhi.
