Domestic Worker and Husband Held on Three-Day Remand

In the Mohammadpur area of Dhaka, a domestic worker, Ayesha Akter, and her husband, Rabbi, have been placed on a three-day remand by the court in connection with the brutal murder of a mother and her daughter. On Thursday, 11 December, the Metropolitan Magistrate of Dhaka, Mahbub Alam, issued the remand order.

According to the investigating officer of Mohammadpur Police Station, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Shahidul Osman Masum, the police had applied for a ten-day remand for each suspect. The authorities stated that the remand was essential to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the murders, supported by CCTV footage and other evidence collected during the investigation.

The case was filed on Tuesday, 9 December, by AJM Azizul Islam, husband of the victim Layla Firoz. In his complaint, he explained that his wife and their ninth-grade daughter, Nafisa, had been living in the Mohammadpur residence for approximately thirteen years. Their ancestral home is in Natore.

As part of their daily routine, on Monday morning, Azizul left the house at 7am to go to school, where he works as a physics teacher. As exams were ongoing, he had planned to return quickly. However, upon returning at around 11am, he discovered the lifeless bodies of his wife and daughter. His cries alerted nearby residents, who immediately informed the police.

Police investigations, including a review of CCTV footage, revealed that at approximately 7:51am, a young woman believed to be around 20 years old, identified as Ayesha, entered the house wearing a burqa. Later, at 9:36am, she left the house dressed in the school uniform of the murdered daughter, Nafisa, exiting without interruption. This detail strongly suggests premeditation in the attack.

Preliminary findings indicate that the murders were planned in advance, with the domestic worker playing a significant role. Following the incident, the police arrested Ayesha Akter on Wednesday, 10 December, at around 12:30pm at her aunt and mother-in-law’s home in Charakya, Dapdapia Union. Her husband, Rabbi, is currently being held under police supervision.

The killings have caused widespread shock and fear in the neighbourhood. Residents have urged the police to resolve the matter swiftly. The investigating officer expressed confidence that the remand period would allow authorities to gather clearer evidence regarding the motive and execution of the crime.

Investigators emphasised that the findings obtained during this remand will be critical to the judicial process. The police have also indicated that if the involvement of the suspects is fully substantiated, strict legal action will be pursued under the law.