Daughter-in-Law Held After Mother-in-Law’s Secret Burial

A 22-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of her mother-in-law in Ashulia, on the outskirts of Dhaka, after what police say was an attempt to conceal the crime by portraying the death as a natural one and proceeding with a secret burial.

The suspect, identified as Mukta Akter, was produced before a court on Thursday following her arrest by Ashulia Police. Investigators allege that she strangled her mother-in-law, 60-year-old Sakhina Begum, during a domestic dispute at the family’s home in Paragram village under Shimulia Union on Tuesday.

According to the case statement, the incident took place at around 11:00 a.m. when an argument broke out between the two women over what has been described as a minor family matter. Police allege that the confrontation escalated, during which Mukta Akter became enraged and gripped Sakhina Begum by the throat. The victim reportedly lost consciousness after sustaining severe injuries.

Family members later took Sakhina Begum to Dhamrai Upazila Health Complex, where doctors pronounced her dead.

Police say the circumstances surrounding the death did not immediately raise suspicion because relatives were informed that she had died from natural causes or illness. Based on that explanation, the body was returned to the family home and buried without any indication that a criminal offence may have been committed.

The case took a dramatic turn the following day.

According to investigators, Mukta Akter admitted to her husband during a private conversation that she had strangled his mother during the altercation. After learning of the alleged confession, the victim’s son contacted the police, prompting officers from Ashulia Police Station to launch an operation that led to the suspect’s arrest.

Sakhina Begum was the wife of Md Moncher Ali and a resident of Paragram village. Mukta Akter, the accused, is the deceased’s daughter-in-law.

Police officials said the initial investigation uncovered evidence indicating the suspect’s involvement in the killing. A murder case has since been registered, and the accused has been remanded to the judicial process after being presented before the court.

Officer-in-Charge Tarikul Islam of Ashulia Police Station said the suspect had been arrested and that preliminary questioning supported the allegations contained in the case. He added that the investigation remains ongoing and that further legal action will be taken based on the findings.

Investigators are now examining the full sequence of events leading to Sakhina Begum’s death, including the circumstances under which the body was buried before the alleged crime came to light. Police are also expected to gather additional evidence and record witness statements as part of the continuing investigation.

Domestic disputes that escalate into fatal violence remain a matter of concern for law enforcement authorities in Bangladesh. In such cases, investigators typically examine witness testimony, forensic evidence and the sequence of events to establish the precise circumstances surrounding a death. Police emphasised that the allegations against the accused will ultimately be assessed through the judicial process, where the evidence presented during the investigation will determine the outcome of the case.