Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested a couple named Sagar Ali, 31, and his wife Ishita Begum, 25, in connection with the murder of three members of a family. Ishita posed as Kabiraj (Herbal Medicine Practitioner) to deceive the family for money in Savar's Ashulia.
During initial questioning, the detained individuals shared crucial details with RAB about the murder case.
RAB's Legal and Media Wing Director Commander Khandaker Al Moin said: "The suspects initially committed the murder out of greed for money, and later, their frustration over not receiving money played a role in the incident."
He disclosed this at a press conference at RAB Media Centre in Dhaka's Karwan Bazar on Tuesday afternoon.
According to locals, the deceased Moktar Hossain and his wife Shahida Begum worked at a garment factory in Ashulia. Their son, Mehedi Hasan Joy, was a seventh-grade student at a local school. Moktar and his wife had been living in Ashulia with their children for work, although they originally come from Thakurgaon district. They all were killed last month.
Khandaker Al Moin said: "The ring that was stolen from the deceased's body during the murder has been found in the possession of the suspects.”
He continued: "On Saturday, residents of the building reported a disturbing smell emanating from a fourth-floor flat in the Jamgora area of Ashulia. Subsequently, the partially decomposed bodies of the husband, wife, and their 12-year-old son were discovered in the apartment. One of the deceased is Muktar, his brother filed a murder case with Ashulia Police Station against unidentified individuals."
The murder of three family members caused a major sensation in the area and received widespread attention across the country through various print and electronic media outlets. In response, RAB intensified its efforts to arrest those responsible for the murder. As part of this effort, a joint team from the RAB intelligence branch and RAB-4 conducted a successful operation on Monday night, leading to their arrest.
The RAB official said: "On September 28, accused Sagar was sitting in a shop in the Baraipara area of Savar, having tea. During this time, he overheard Moktar discussing treatment for physical problems at a nearby herbal medicine shop. Sagar discovered that Moktar had spent Tk15,000 to Tk20,000 on herbal reatments at the shop without any positive results.”
“Later, Sagar contacted the him, and in their conversation, he learned of Moktar's keen interest in herbal and herbal medicine. Moktar also shared some physical problems faced by himself and his family members. Sagar proposed that his wife, a skilled Kabiraj, could effectively address all these issues. They agreed on a treatment contract worth Tk90,000,” he added.
He further said: “When Moktar asked for Sagar's contact number, he provided a relative's number. Later, Sagar discussed the plan with his wife, and they decided to go to Moktar's house on Friday morning. Their intention was to rob Moktar and his family of their valuables, including money, by administering sleeping pills under the pretence of herbal treatment. To execute this plan, Sagar purchased sleeping pills from a pharmacy in the Mouchak area of Gazipur."
Sagar and his wife set off from Mouchak for Moktar's house on Friday morning. They met the victim at Jamgora crossing and proceeded together to his residence. After the initial introduction, Sagar's wife, Ishita, attentively listened to the family's problems. They mixed sedatives with Psyllium Husk syrup, administering it as part of their herbal treatment. Subsequently, Moktar, his wife, and son fell asleep under the influence of the sleeping pills.
Sagar and his wife began by tying Moktar's hands and legs in his room. Later, they bound his wife's hands and legs as well. Upon searching Moktar's wallet, his wife's purse, and various places in the house, they only found Tk5,000 and it fueled their anger, Sagar first stabbed Moktar in the neck and killed him. Afterwards, he entered another room and fatally stabbed the son and wife.
Once they confirmed the deaths of all family members, Sagar left with the ring in hand. Later, both of them returned to Mouchak in a rickshaw and took shelter at Sagar's father-in-law's house. Later, they went into hiding as news of the murders spread widely in the media and the surrounding areas.
RAB revealed that Sagar had a history of drug addiction and engaged in theft and robbery while posing as various professionals. In 2020, he was involved in the murder of four family members in Madhupur, Tangail, where sedatives were used, and he was later arrested by RAB. After spending almost three and a half years in jail, he was granted bail in June 2023, and he stayed at his father-in-law's rented house in the Mouchak area of Gazipur.
Due to his financial struggles resulting from his time in jail, Sagar and his wife adopted this lifestyle. They traveled across different districts, including Dhaka, Sylhet, and Tangail, assuming various roles such as domestic and agricultural workers while engaging in theft and robbery. After residing in one district for an extended period, they would relocate to another.
RAB also said that legal action is being taken against the arrested persons.
