The incident coincided with the fears of killing of businessman Shamsul Haq, his son Russell and the recovery of their driver's body from Dhamrai yesterday, 11 hours after they went missing also from Old Dhaka, a hotbed of recent attacks on businessmen and businesses.

Family sources said Abdur Rahim Box, 36, a rich trader and resident of Golam Mostafa Lane under Kotwali Police Station, was kidnapped from Sat Rowza at about 1:00am on his way home from parents' house nearby.

Shortly before leaving his parents' house, Rahim called his wife, saying that he was returning soon. As he did not return until 2:00am, his wife contacted relatives, launching a hectic search for him.

Half an hour later, Rahim's brother-in-law received a call from his mobile when an unnamed caller said: "We have abducted him. We'll release him after you pay us Tk 20 lakh."

"Rahim will be sliced up if you report our demand to the police or the press," the caller threatened.

At about 6:00pm yesterday, one of the abductors called the victim's brother and asked him to quickly arrange the ransom payment, the family said.

The anxious family of Rahim visited Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue last night on hearing the news of the arrival of two beheaded and a sliced body there.

Kotwali police confirmed the abduction, but said they were yet to rescue the businessman.