A decade after the brutal killing of college student and cultural activist Sohagi Jahan Tonu, new developments in the investigation have reignited hopes of justice among her family and the wider community. The arrest of a former senior military personnel, alongside renewed DNA analysis, has brought the long-stalled case back into the national spotlight.
Tonu, a student of Comilla Victoria Government College, went missing on 20 March 2016 after leaving for tuition inside the Comilla Cantonment area. Her body was discovered shortly afterwards in a bushy area near the Power House locality within the cantonment vicinity. The following day, her father filed a murder case against unidentified individuals.
From the outset, allegations of both sexual assault and murder were raised. However, two initial post-mortem examinations failed to conclusively determine the cause of death, deepening public frustration and uncertainty surrounding the case.
A significant development emerged later when the Criminal Investigation Department reported that biological samples collected from Tonu’s clothing contained DNA from multiple male individuals. This finding marked a critical turning point in the investigation, suggesting the involvement of more than one suspect. Despite this, progress remained slow, and no substantial arrests were made for years, fuelling widespread criticism of investigative delays.
Key developments in the case
| Period |
Development |
| March 2016 |
Tonu goes missing; body recovered in Comilla Cantonment area |
| March 2016 |
Murder case filed by victim’s father |
| April–June 2016 |
Post-mortem reports fail to confirm cause of death |
| May 2017 |
Multiple male DNA profiles identified from evidence |
| October 2017 |
Suspects questioned within cantonment area |
| April 2026 |
Former military official arrested; DNA sample collected |
Recently, the Police Bureau of Investigation arrested a former army member from Keraniganj in Dhaka. He was subsequently produced before a court in Comilla and remanded for interrogation. Investigators have confirmed that his DNA sample has been collected for forensic comparison, while efforts are ongoing to identify and question other potential suspects linked to the case.
Tonu’s family has consistently alleged that influential individuals have obstructed the investigation, preventing timely justice. They maintain that several individuals stationed at or associated with the cantonment at the time of the incident were implicated from the beginning. Their claims, however, were never formally substantiated in court records during earlier phases of the inquiry.
Tonu’s mother, speaking emotionally, expressed cautious relief at the recent arrest but stressed that partial progress is not enough. She emphasised that closure will only come when the full truth is uncovered and all those responsible are held accountable. Her father echoed this sentiment, stating that their lifelong wish is to see justice delivered within their lifetime.
Investigators have stated that the case is being treated with renewed seriousness, with a focus on forensic evidence and scientific analysis. Officials remain hopeful that ongoing DNA testing, combined with fresh interrogations, will help unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing.
Civil society groups and local residents have also welcomed the recent progress, viewing it as a long-overdue step towards accountability. However, they continue to call for a transparent, expedited investigation to ensure that all suspects are brought under the purview of the law without delay.
After years of stagnation, the case now appears to be entering a critical phase—one that may finally bring long-awaited answers to one of the country’s most widely discussed unresolved criminal investigations.
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