Contrary to initial reports of an air conditioner explosion, a recent investigation by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has revealed that the fire at the BIAM Foundation office in Dhaka’s Eskaton area was a deliberate act to destroy documents, which resulted in the deaths of two individuals.
The incident took place in Room 504 of the Bangladesh Institute of Administration and Management (BIAM) Foundation building in the early hours of February 28.
Initially, the Fire Service had stated that the blaze, which killed office assistant Abdul Malek on the spot and later driver Faruk at the hospital, was caused by an AC explosion.
However, five months later, PBI`s Special Investigation and Operations Unit confirmed it was a case of arson, not an accident.
During a press conference held at the PBI North Office in Kallyanpur on Monday, Special Superintendent of Police Abdur Rahman said the fire was set intentionally to destroy sensitive documents for which the perpetrators were paid Tk 10 to 12 lakh.
The key suspect behind the act is BIAM’s administrative officer Zahidul Islam (38), who hired accomplice Md Ashraful Islam (36) to execute the plan.
The suspects were arrested from Dhaka and Kurigram on July 25 using AI-assisted image recognition and digital forensics.
According to investigators, Zahidul Islam contracted Ashraful to destroy documents related to land deals, bank transactions, checks, and other sensitive records.
On the night of the incident, Ashraful, wearing a monkey cap, gloves, and a mask, accessed the building and disabled CCTV cameras before facilitating the fire in Room 504 with help from the office assistant Malek and driver Faruk.
Ashraful confessed during interrogation that Zahidul Islam had previously housed him in a hotel for 5–6 months and introduced him to others within BIAM.
The plan was for the documents to be destroyed without causing harm to anyone. Malek and Faruk were to assist in the operation, unaware of the explosive consequences of setting fire to petrol-soaked papers inside a closed room with electronic devices.
As Ashraful was leaving the fifth floor, a massive explosion occurred. Malek died on the spot, while a severely injured Faruk was taken to the National Burn Institute by Zahidul and later succumbed to his injuries.
Zahidul then instructed Ashraful to flee Dhaka, and he later took shelter in Rangpur.
Despite agreeing to pay Tk 10–12 lakh, Zahidul reportedly gave Ashraful only Tk 6–7 lakh.
Following their arrest, both Zahidul and Ashraful provided confessional statements in court on July 26.
The case was initially filed at Hatirjheel Police Station by retired Secretary Md Mashiur Rahman, General Secretary of the BCS (Administration) Multipurpose Cooperative Society. The case was transferred to the PBI on May 6 for further investigation.
