A former Chhatra League leader was beaten to death allegedly by his rivals over drug dealing in the capital's Adabar area Sunday night.

Moshiur Rahman Mashu, 25, was expelled from the post of environmental affairs secretary of Adabar thana unit of BCL, pro-ruling Awami League's student body.

His father Julhas Bepari alleged that his rivals, including local Jubo League activists Mollah Swapan, Madhu and Selim, called Mashu out of his home around 10:30pm and beat him up with iron rods and sticks, injuring him severely.

On information, police rescued Mashu and took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) where doctors declared him dead, said Bachchu Mia, in-charge of DMCH police outpost.

Sources said both Mashu and Swapan were involved in drug dealing that led to a conflict between them. Men of Mashu and Swapan were often locked in clashes.

On August 3, a case was filed with Adabar Police Station against Mashu for attacking Swapan with a sharp weapon, they added.

However, refuting the allegation of his son's involvement in drug dealing, Mashu's father claimed that his son was involved with BCL, and Madhu and his associates killed his son as Mashu was trying to stop the drug dealing in Adabar area.

Hailing from Shariatpur, Mashu has recently completed his diploma from Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, added Julhas.

Julhas yesterday lodged a case with Adabar Police Station against 16 people, mentioning Madhu and Swapan as the prime suspects of the murder, said police.  

The Daily Star tried to communicate with Swapan over mobile, but his phone was switched off.

Although Swapan does not hold any post in Jubo League, he runs a club in the name of Jubo League at Shyamoli, said his elder brother Shahidul Islam Sobuj.

Sobuj also told this correspondent that his brother was trying to prevent drug trade run by Mashu. For this reason, Mashu attacked his brother last month and a case was filed with Adabar Police Station in this connection, he said.

"My brother is not involved in the murder, and a false case has been filed against him,” he added.

Biplob Kumar Sarker, deputy commissioner (Tejgaon) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said in primary investigation, they came to know that Mashu was killed over previous enmity centring extortion, establishing supremacy and drug dealing in Adabar.

Among the accused, there are Jubo League and Jubo Dal activists, he said.

"We have already got details of the accused and are now conducting drives to arrest them," added Biplob.