Police in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, have arrested three men in connection with the killing of a 73-year-old woman who was attacked while performing prayers at her home. Police said the woman, Jahanara Begum, was allegedly killed as the suspects sought to steal a gold chain from her neck.
The arrests were disclosed at a press conference held at Madhabdi Police Station on Thursday (17 September) by Narsingdi Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Md Ashikur Rahman.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Hridoy Mia, 27, son of the late Harun Mia; Kadir Mia, 27, son of Chhayad; and Abu Mia, 29, son of Akman Mia. All three are residents of Swarnanigaon village in Meherpara Union under Madhabdi Police Station.
According to police, the incident took place on the evening of 30 July at Jahanara Begum’s home in Swarnanigaon. She was performing prayers on the veranda when the attackers allegedly entered the premises and assaulted her with a sharp weapon. She sustained injuries to her head and back and died in the attack.
Following the killing, her son, Mohammad Ismail Mia, filed a murder case with Madhabdi Police Station. Investigators from the district Detective Branch, along with officers involved in the case, subsequently began examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police said information obtained through technology and intelligence sources helped them identify those allegedly involved. Hridoy Mia was arrested on 9 August, followed by Kadir Mia on 30 August and Abu Mia on 16 September. The three suspects were subsequently sent to jail through the court.
At Thursday’s press conference, police said the suspects’ confessional statements indicated that the killing had allegedly been planned several months earlier. According to the police account, the suspects had discussed stealing Jahanara Begum’s gold chain at a local madrasa around seven to eight months before the incident.
They allegedly decided to carry out the plan on 30 July, taking advantage of a power outage. The suspects then entered the woman’s home while she was praying. Police said the situation changed when electricity was restored during the attack and Jahanara recognised the assailants and attempted to resist them.
The suspects allegedly responded by striking her on the head and back with a sharp weapon before taking the gold chain from her neck and fleeing the scene.
Police are continuing efforts to recover the stolen jewellery. Investigators are also working to determine whether anyone else was involved in planning or carrying out the killing.
The case remains under investigation, while the allegations against the arrested suspects will be subject to the judicial process.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Sajib Shahreen and Madhabdi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Kamal Hossain were also present at the press conference.
