Savage Serial Murders Shock Savar Community

Disturbing revelations continue to emerge regarding the serial killer known as ‘Samrat,’ identified as 28-year-old Shobuz Sheikh, who was arrested in Savar last week. According to police and court sources, Sheikh targeted homeless women, luring them to isolated buildings under a false identity, where he allegedly engaged in sexual activity before murdering them.

Md. Asaduzzaman, Additional Superintendent of Police for the Savar Circle, confirmed the case on Tuesday, 20 January, stating, “The confessions made by the accused in court are currently being verified, and investigations are progressing accordingly.”

Police reports indicate that Shobuz Sheikh is the second child among three brothers and four sisters, with a father named Panna Sheikh. His eldest sister is Sharmin. He was born in Mosamanda village, Holudia Union, Louhajang Upazila, Munshiganj District, though his extended family resides in Barisal.

During initial interrogations, Sheikh reportedly admitted to murdering homeless women if they were involved with other men. In one of the most recent incidents, he allegedly left a young woman known as Tania, alias Sonia, at the municipal community centre. Upon discovering her involvement with another man, Sheikh claimed that he first killed the man, then the woman, and subsequently set both bodies on fire.

In court proceedings on Monday, Sheikh confessed to involvement in six separate murders over the past seven months. The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Dhaka recorded his confession under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and ordered his remand to prison.

Authorities noted that Sheikh frequently loitered around Savar Model Police Station, the Upazila Health Complex, the Sub-Registry Office, the municipal community centre, and Pakizar Mor. He reportedly used various aliases, including ‘King Samrat’ and ‘Moshiur Rahman Khan Samrat,’ though no records confirmed these identities.

Savar Model Police Station officer VC Arman Ali remarked, “The accused exhibits highly abnormal behaviour, and the investigation is being conducted with utmost seriousness.”

The table below summarises the six murders allegedly committed by Sheikh over the past seven months:

Police are in the process of verifying the confessions and identity details provided by the accused. In response to these events, local authorities have intensified security measures across Savar to safeguard residents and public spaces.