The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) claims to have solved, within three days, the deaths of a couple and a five-month-old fetus whose decomposed remains were recovered from a locked room in Ashulia’s Jamgora area.
Moniruzzaman alias Hridoy, 44, has been arrested in connection with the killings.
According to the PBI, Hridoy had previously been in a romantic relationship with the deceased woman, Nazma Khatun. Investigators said the killings stemmed from a dispute over the relationship.
Police recovered Nazma’s mobile phone, SIM card, office ID and handbag from Hridoy after his arrest. He later allegedly gave a confessional statement before a court under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.
PBI Dhaka District Police Superintendent MN Morshed disclosed the details at a press conference on Wednesday.
On September 5, residents alerted police after a foul smell came from a locked room at Hazrat Ali’s house in Jamgora. Police opened the room and recovered the partially decomposed bodies of Alamgir Kabir, 45, and his wife Nazma, 39, along with the remains of their five-month-old fetus.
Police sent the bodies for autopsies after preparing inquest reports. Nazma’s elder sister, Shapla Begum, filed a case against unidentified people with Ashulia Police Station on September 6 under Sections 302, 201 and 34 of the Penal Code, 1860.
The PBI Dhaka District unit began investigating the case after it was filed and formally took over on September 8. Hridoy was arrested from Narsinghpur in Ashulia the same day based on intelligence.
How the killings allegedly took place
According to the PBI, Nazma had been in a relationship with Hridoy before her marriage. Alamgir later learned about the relationship, leading to a dispute between the two men.
On the day of the incident, Nazma and Alamgir allegedly took Hridoy to their home, where an argument broke out. Alamgir allegedly beat Hridoy, while Nazma allegedly struck him with a broom.
Hridoy allegedly retaliated by pushing and punching them before kicking Nazma in the abdomen, causing her to fall. According to his alleged confession, Nazma and her five-month-old fetus died from the injury.
Alamgir allegedly then attacked Hridoy with a spatula and pipe. During the struggle, Hridoy allegedly strangled him with a towel.
Hridoy allegedly placed the bodies on the bed and fled with Nazma’s mobile phone, SIM card, office ID and handbag.
Hridoy previously accused in murder case
The PBI said Hridoy had previously been accused in a murder case filed with Ashulia Police Station in December 2022 after the body of an unidentified woman was recovered near Gonoshasthaya Hospital.
Investigators found evidence of rape and added Section 9(3) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000, to the murder charges.
A charge sheet naming Hridoy and a 15-year-old minor, Sabbir Islam, was submitted to the court on July 31, 2023.
The PBI is investigating whether anyone else was involved in the Ashulia killings.
