Farhan Bhuiyan Rony, the accused in the murder of Sharmin Begum alias Horluja Begum in Brahmanbaria’s Akhaura, has reportedly provided a confessional statement to the police, admitting to decapitating and burning the victim's body.
According to the police, Rony confessed to the crime during interrogation, identifying himself as the sole mastermind.
Farhan, identified as a drug addict and robber, is the son of Shahnewaz Bhuiyan, the general secretary of the South Union Jubo League in Akhaura upazila.
Discovery of the crime
The incident came to light after a swan was reported stolen from a house in the Gazi Bazar area on Monday night. On Tuesday morning, while searching for the missing swan, its owner smelled burning near an abandoned tin shed on Shahnewaz Bhuiyan’s property.
Farhan was found at the location, claiming he was burning leaves. His explanation raised suspicion, prompting the owner and his relatives to investigate. Upon entering the shed, they discovered a burning, headless body in a pit and alerted the police.
Based on Farhan’s statement, the police recovered the victim's severed head from a nearby pond later that day, confirming her identity.
Farhan’s account of the murder
Farhan initially gave conflicting accounts but eventually admitted to killing Horluja.
He revealed that her husband, Nurul Islam, had been cultivating their family land for five decades and living there with his wife and daughters. Nurul’s family resided on the land with permission from Farhan’s grandfather.
Farhan claimed that Horluja often used charms and rituals to pressure him into marrying her third daughter, hoping to secure a portion of the property for her family through the marriage.
Angered by her actions, Farhan planned her murder. He lured her out of the house early in the morning, claiming his father was ill, and then strangled and decapitated her to prevent identification. He burned her body in an abandoned tin shed on their property.
Witnesses and arrest
While searching for the stolen swan, villagers found Farhan at the shed and noticed smoke coming from inside. Their suspicions deepened when Farhan threatened them. Upon entering, they discovered the charred, headless body.
The police arrived shortly afterwards, recovered the body, and arrested Farhan.
During interrogation, he led officers to the pond where the victim’s severed head was hidden.
Ruma Akter, the eldest daughter of the deceased, has filed a murder case against Farhan as the sole accused.
She said: “My mother raised Farhan and his siblings. We never imagined he would repay her kindness in such a cruel way. She even arranged his father’s marriage. This act of barbarity was unimaginable.”
Ruma alleged that Farhan became enraged after her mother refused to cook the stolen swan, leading to the murder. She demanded a death penalty for him.
Akhaura police station Officer-in-Charge Shomiyuddin confirmed that Farhan had a criminal history, including cases of theft and drug-related offences. The victim’s body has been sent to Brahmanbaria General Hospital for an autopsy.
“We expect to conclude the investigation swiftly since Farhan is the sole accused. He will face the maximum penalty under the law,” the OC added.
