A mother and her daughter were killed in a stabbing following a family dispute in Dhaka's Kalabagan area on Sunday morning.
The incident occurred at around 9:30am.
The deceased have been identified as Farzana Akter Ratri, 20, and her mother, Firoza Begum, 38.
They were allegedly killed by Farzana's drug-addicted husband following a domestic dispute, according to police.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune on Sunday afternoon, Kalabagan Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Fazle Ashiq said police received information at around 9:30am that two women had been stabbed at a residence in Kalabagan.
"Police arrived at the scene and found Farzana lying on the floor inside the house. Her mother, Firoza Begum, had already been taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Later, we confirmed that both had died. Farzana's husband, Shipon Hridoy, came to the police station with their one-year-old son, Yamin, and surrendered. We then arrested him," the OC said.
According to police, an argument broke out between Shipon and his wife on Sunday morning. When Farzana's mother attempted to intervene and stop the quarrel, Shipon allegedly attacked both his wife and mother-in-law with a kitchen knife. Farzana died at the scene, while Firoza was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition, where doctors later declared her dead.
Regarding the motive, the OC said the couple had been experiencing marital problems for a long time. Police have also learned during the preliminary investigation that Shipon was addicted to drugs.
"After Shipon came to the police station and reported the incident, we took custody of the child and later handed him over to his family. Shipon has been arrested, and legal action will be taken against him," he added.
Scene visit
A visit to the building in Kathalbagan revealed an old, dilapidated five-storey building. Farzana's father, Farukh, lived in a rented apartment on the fifth floor, where the incident took place. The apartment was locked when this correspondent visited on Sunday.
Neighbour Anju Sarkar, a senior nurse, said she was at home with her child when she heard loud arguments and screaming from the neighbouring apartment.
"I then heard Farzana's younger brother, Raihan, crying and calling for help. When I opened my door, I saw Farzana lying on the floor, and her mother was being taken to the hospital," she said.
The building's caretaker, Bazlul Rahman, said Farzana and her husband lived in Mohammadpur, while the Kathalbagan apartment belonged to Farzana's father.
"They used to visit this house occasionally, but they did not live here. They returned from their village home yesterday (Sunday), and this morning we heard about the incident," he said.
Family's account
Farzana's family is from Shariatpur. Her father, Farukh, who runs a fruit business in Hatirpool, told Dhaka Tribune that the couple had been married for several years and had a history of marital conflict.
"About a year ago, my son-in-law divorced my daughter. After a family mediation, they reconciled and resumed living together," he said.
Farukh alleged that Shipon was addicted to drugs and frequently borrowed money from him without repaying it.
"He worked as a driver and repeatedly asked me to buy him a Laguna vehicle. Financial disputes over the borrowed money often led to arguments between my daughter and her husband," he said.
He further claimed that during a recent family gathering in their village, Shipon arrived with several other people, which led to another argument with Farzana. Shipon later returned to Dhaka and, on Sunday morning, allegedly came to the house and carried out the attack.
Farukh also alleged that Shipon had brought the murder weapon—a kitchen knife—with him.
"I want justice for the murders of my wife and daughter. I want Shipon to receive the death penalty," he said.