In Pirojpur’s Jiyanagar Upazila, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-8) has arrested the prime accused, Kamal Panchayet (55), in a case involving the killing of an elderly woman, Namita Rani, reportedly linked to the discovery of an extramarital relationship.
The arrest was carried out on Sunday (14 June) at around 8:00 pm during an operation in the Chhoto Kanua area under Ward No. 8 of Bhandaria Municipality, at the residence of Jamal Kazi. According to officials, Kamal Panchayet is the son of the late Abu Panchayet from South Chandipur village in Jiyanagar Upazila.
RAB sources stated that Kamal had been under surveillance for an extended period. He had reportedly been evading arrest by moving between different locations. Acting on confidential information, a team from RAB-8 conducted the raid, confirmed his presence, and apprehended him at the scene.
Following the arrest, he was handed over to Jiyanagar Police Station. The officer-in-charge of the station, Mohammad Mohabbat Khan, confirmed that the accused was later transferred to police custody around 9:00 pm. He further stated that interrogation regarding the murder is ongoing and that further legal procedures are in progress.
The incident dates back to 28 May, when Namita Rani Pal, the wife of Radheshyam Chandra Pal from South Kalaron village under Chandipur Union in Jiyanagar Upazila, was allegedly killed by strangulation. The primary accused in the case are her daughter-in-law, Banya Rani (32), and Kamal Panchayet, who was identified as her extramarital partner.
The following day, on 29 May, the victim’s husband, Radheshyam Chandra Pal, filed a murder case at Indurkani Police Station in Jiyanagar, naming five individuals as accused. Police subsequently arrested Banya Rani and her uncle, Tapas Debnath (44), in connection with the case.
Authorities and local residents have alleged that Banya Rani and Kamal Panchayet had maintained a long-standing extramarital relationship. It is further alleged that the victim, Namita Rani, had repeatedly opposed the relationship. On the day of the incident, she reportedly discovered the pair in an intimate situation, after which the alleged murder took place.
Case Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 28 May | Namita Rani Pal allegedly murdered by strangulation in South Kalaron village |
| 29 May | Murder case filed at Indurkani Police Station; five individuals named as accused |
| 29 May (subsequent action) | Banya Rani (32) and Tapas Debnath (44) arrested |
| 14 June | Prime accused Kamal Panchayet arrested by RAB-8 in Bhান্ডaria Municipality |
| 14 June (night) | Accused handed over to police; interrogation begins |
Local residents have expressed strong reactions following the incident, calling for the swift arrest of all individuals involved and demanding the maximum punishment under the law. Authorities have confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing and further legal steps will follow in accordance with due process.
