The victim, Atikullah Ripon, 32, son of Mohammad Shahidullah, was a resident of South Mugdapara under Sabujbagh Police Station. He was owner of several power generators that he rented out to people in the area.

The Army claimed that Ripon jumped from a six-storey building after they had arrested him from Shabujbagh area on Tuesday for his alleged involvement in illegal activities.

Ripon, along with three others, was picked up by the army from a tea stall at Mugdapara at around 1:00pm, said his relatives. The army later released the other three.

Ripon's family said he was in good health when the army picked him up.

However, when Ripon's body was handed over to his family, the body bore marks of injury on his legs, hands, chest and head.

The morgue sources at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) said Ripon's body was covered in bruises with the skin on his left leg removed and his fingers showing signs of heavy swelling.

The DMCH sources said a soldier of the14th Engineers Brigade named Habib brought Ripon to DMCH at 3:15am yesterday where doctors declared him dead.

"We searched for him in different police stations and tried to inquire about his whereabouts in army camps, but failed to get any information" said a relative of Ripon.

Sergeant Abdul Majid filed an unnatural death case with Paltan Police Station, stating Ripon died falling from a six-storey under-construction building while trying to escape during an arms recovery drive.

Police said Ripon was accused in several criminal cases including murder.