Father Arrested Following Fatal Assault on Seven-Month-Old Infant in Bhairab

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has apprehended Meraj Mia, 28, the primary suspect in the killing of his seven-month-old son, Mujahid, in the Bhairab Upazila of Kishoreganj. The arrest was executed on Saturday, 2 May, sixteen days after the discovery of the infant’s body. The suspect was taken into custody in the Manikdi Purbo Kanda area and was subsequently transferred to the custody of the Bhairab Police Station later that afternoon.

According to Shahjahan, the Acting Commander of the RAB-14 Bhairab Camp, Meraj Mia provided a confessional statement during preliminary interrogation, admitting to the homicide of his infant son. The authorities have indicated that the crime appears to have been motivated by deep-seated domestic discord.

Chronology of the Disappearance and Discovery

The victim, Mujahid, was the son of Meraj Mia and Taslima Begum, both residents of the Manikdi Purbo Kanda area within the Gajaria Union. Local accounts suggest that the family had been experiencing significant friction, exacerbated by Meraj Mia’s reported long-term substance abuse issues.

The events leading to the infant’s death began when Mujahid fell ill. According to the formal complaint filed by the family, Meraj Mia took the child from the maternal home under the pretext of seeking medical treatment. Following this departure, both the father and the infant disappeared, and their whereabouts remained unknown to the family for several days. During this period of disappearance, local rumours circulated suggesting that the child might have been sold.

The situation reached a tragic conclusion on the morning of 16 April 2026, when local residents discovered the lifeless body of an infant in a marsh (bil) located in the Purbo Kanda area. Upon notification, the police recovered the remains, which were subsequently identified by Taslima Begum as those of her son, Mujahid.

Legal Action and Investigation

Following the identification of the body, Taslima Begum initiated legal proceedings by filing a murder case at the Bhairab Police Station. The case named five individuals as defendants, with Meraj Mia designated as the principal accused.

Limon Bose, the Inspector (Investigation) of Bhairab Police Station, confirmed the arrest and noted the collaborative efforts between the police and RAB. He stated that the suspect’s confession provides a critical lead in the ongoing investigation. The police are currently examining whether the other named defendants played any role in the concealment of the crime or the events leading to the infant’s death.

Socio-Economic Context and Substance Abuse

Local witnesses and family members have highlighted the role of domestic instability in this tragedy. Meraj Mia was known in the Manikdi area as an individual struggling with chronic addiction, a factor that often led to disputes with his wife and extended family.

The Bhairab Upazila has recently seen a heightened focus from law enforcement regarding crimes stemming from domestic violence and drug-related instability. Under the laws of Bangladesh, a murder conviction carries the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty, depending on the severity and premeditation involved in the act.

The suspect is currently being held in judicial custody as the police complete the formal charge sheet. The body of the infant has undergone a post-mortem examination, the results of which will be integrated into the prosecution’s evidence to determine the exact cause and nature of the injuries that led to the child’s demise. Public representatives from the Gajaria Union have expressed profound shock at the incident, calling for a swift judicial process to ensure accountability for the death of the seven-month-old victim.