Police Officer Found Dead In Pond Near In-Laws’ Home

A police officer was found dead in a pond beside his in-laws’ home in Paikandi village of Gopalganj Sadar upazila on Monday morning, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Police have taken his wife and father-in-law into custody for questioning.

The deceased was identified as Mahmudul Islam, 38, a resident of Bijoypasha village in Gopalganj Sadar. He was serving as an armed sub-inspector with the 6th Armed Police Battalion in Mahalchhari, Khagrachhari.

According to police and family sources, Mahmudul had travelled to Gopalganj last Friday on official duty. After completing his assignment, he went to his in-laws’ home in Paikandi village that night. On Monday morning, at around 9.30am, local residents reportedly saw his body floating in a pond beside the house and informed the police.

Officers subsequently recovered the body and sent it to the mortuary of Gopalganj General Hospital for a post-mortem examination. The report is expected to help determine the precise cause of death.

The incident has led to conflicting accounts. Members of Mahmudul’s family have alleged that he may have been killed following a long-running dispute with his wife and her family. On the other hand, a relative of his father-in-law has suggested that the officer may have drowned while bathing in the pond.

Mahmudul’s elder brother, BM Ashikuzzaman, claimed that the officer’s wife lived at her parental home, which meant Mahmudul usually stayed there when he returned home on leave. According to him, a dispute reportedly developed during Mahmudul’s latest visit over money allegedly sought to send his brother-in-law abroad.

Ashikuzzaman alleged that the circumstances raised suspicions that Mahmudul had been killed and his body subsequently placed in the pond. The allegation, however, has not been established by the police investigation.

Mahmudul’s younger sister, Nadira Sultana, also raised allegations concerning the relationship between the officer and his wife. She claimed that his wife had previously attempted to prevent him from maintaining contact with his family and alleged that there had been earlier attempts to poison him. She said the family suspected that Mahmudul had been strangled before his body was dumped in the pond, and called for a proper investigation and justice.

The allegations have not yet been independently verified, and police have not confirmed that Mahmudul was murdered.

Meanwhile, Jalal Sheikh, a cousin of Mahmudul’s father-in-law, gave a different account. He said Mahmudul went to the pond at around 8am on Monday to bathe but did not return home. According to Jalal, the officer may have drowned after entering the water and being unable to get out.

Gopalganj Sadar police station officer-in-charge Aminul Islam said it was too early to determine how Mahmudul died. The post-mortem examination would be crucial in establishing the cause of death, he said.

The officer confirmed that Mahmudul’s wife, Kaniz Fatema, and father-in-law, Jhunu Sheikh, had been taken into police custody for questioning. Police are investigating the competing claims and examining the circumstances leading up to the recovery of the body before deciding on further legal action.

The death of a serving armed police officer has caused concern in the area. While his family suspects foul play, the account given by the in-laws’ relative points to a possible drowning. The post-mortem findings and the ongoing police investigation are expected to clarify whether Mahmudul died from drowning or was the victim of a criminal act.