A man was shot dead in Dhaka’s New Market area tonight.

The deceased was identified as Khandokar Noyeem Ahmed Titon. According to police headquarters, he is a listed top criminal in Bangladesh. After serving a long prison term, he was released on bail following the political change in August 2024.

Around 10:15pm, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) identified him through fingerprint analysis.

Sub-Inspector Shahadat Hossain of New Market Police Station confirmed the identity, saying, “he is a top listed criminal”. He added that further details about him are being collected.

It has been learned that after serving a long prison term, Titon was released on bail following the July uprising.

He was allegedly involved in extortion, tender manipulation, and criminal activities in the Rayerbazar and Mohammadpur areas. Although currently out on bail, he was reportedly absconding without appearing before the court.

The incident occurred around 8:00pm near Shaheed Shahnewaz Hall in New Market Bottola.

Pedestrians and students rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead around 8:30pm.

Eyewitnesses said two men on a motorcycle carried out the attack. Witness Ratan Hossain told The Daily Star that the victim was walking fast when one assailant got off the bike and fired four rounds. After he collapsed, the attacker shot him in the head and fired at bystanders before fleeing on the motorcycle through an alley near the BGB gate.

Md Mezbah Rahman, a student who helped take him to hospital, said locals chased the attackers, but they escaped firing shots to intimidate the crowd.

Both assailants wore caps and masks, he added.

Inspector Md Faruk of the DMCH police outpost confirmed the death, saying the victim had multiple bullet wounds.

Assistant Commissioner Nasim A Gulshan of New Market Zone said police visited the scene and are collecting CCTV footage.