Authorities in the Nalitabari Upazila of Sherpur have recovered the remains of a ten-year-old girl, identified as Sanjida Akter, approximately 22 hours after she was reported missing. The body was discovered within the latrine of a neighbouring residence on Friday, 8 May 2026. In connection with the ongoing investigation, police have detained three individuals for questioning to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the minor’s death.
Background and Disappearance
Sanjida Akter was the daughter of Aminul Islam, a resident of the Panihata area within the Ramchandrakura Union. Following the death of her mother approximately four years ago, Sanjida had been residing with her maternal grandmother in the village of Chanbhanu. According to family members and local residents, the child was last seen on the afternoon of Wednesday, 6 May 2026.
When Sanjida failed to return home, her family initiated an extensive search of the immediate vicinity and notified relatives and local community leaders. Despite these efforts, her whereabouts remained unknown for nearly a day, prompting escalating concerns regarding her safety.
Discovery of the Deceased
The investigation gained a significant lead when local witnesses reported that Sanjida was last seen in the company of Billal Hossain, the son of a local resident identified as Chan Mia (also known as Chanu Pagla) from the Kalakuma area. Acting on this information, the child’s maternal aunt, Sokhina Begum, proceeded to the suspect’s residence to inquire about her niece.
As a crowd of local residents gathered at the property, pressure was applied to Chan Mia to provide information regarding his son’s whereabouts and the missing child. During the confrontation, contact was established with the now-absent Billal Hossain via mobile telephone. During the communication, the suspect allegedly confessed to the killing and disclosed that the body had been concealed within the latrine facility of their home.
Upon inspecting the indicated location, the community discovered the child’s body. The Nalitabari Police were immediately alerted to the find, and officers arrived shortly thereafter to secure the scene and transport the remains to the police station for forensic examination and an autopsy.
Police Action and Detentions
Following the recovery of the body, law enforcement officials took immediate steps to secure individuals associated with the primary suspect. Three members of Billal Hossain’s immediate family were taken into custody for interrogation. Those detained have been identified as:
Chan Mia (Chanu Pagla): The father of the suspect.
Tohuran Begum: The mother of the suspect.
Rabeya: The sister of the suspect.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ashrafuzzaman of Nalitabari Police Station confirmed the detentions, stating that the three individuals are being held for questioning to determine if there was any complicity or prior knowledge of the crime. He further noted that formal legal proceedings would be initiated following the preliminary interrogation phase and the receipt of the post-mortem report.
The primary suspect, Billal Hossain, remains at large. Police units have reportedly intensified their efforts to locate and apprehend him. The incident has caused significant distress within the Ramchandrakura Union, with local residents demanding a swift and thorough investigation. Authorities have maintained a presence in Panihata village to ensure public order as the criminal inquiry continues into the motives and specific actions that led to the death of the young girl.