Allegation against hotel worker in schoolgirl murder case in Banshree

In a shocking and brutal incident in South Banashree, Dhaka, 15-year-old Fatema Akter Lily, a student of Class 10 at Radiant School, was found murdered in her family home. According to her relatives, the killing was premeditated, carried out with the intention of stealing cash and gold jewellery. Following the discovery, Lily’s family filed a murder case at Khilgaon Police Station, naming hotel employee Milon as the sole accused. Milon has reportedly been on the run since the incident.

On the morning of Sunday, 11 January, local residents gathered outside the tin-roofed house at South Banashree’s L-Block, where the tragedy occurred. The house, situated along Avenue Road, comprises four rooms and stands adjacent to Shahjalal Hotel, owned by Lily’s father, Sajib Talukdar. Neighbours described Lily as an intelligent and diligent student, who excelled academically.

Speaking to the press, Sajib Talukdar explained that he had temporarily closed the hotel for family reasons and travelled with his wife and children to their ancestral home in Lakhaai, Habiganj. At the time of the murder, his two daughters were at home. Before leaving, he had arranged for hotel employee Milon to provide meals for the children. Milon had previously worked for the family for three to four years and had recently rejoined the hotel, earning the family’s trust.

Lily’s elder sister, Shobha, recounted that on Friday night around 11 pm, Milon came to collect the food. As Lily delayed opening the door, she handed the meal down from inside. The following afternoon, Milon returned, and after Shobha briefly left the house, he allegedly came back again. Later, upon returning, Shobha discovered her sister’s body in the kitchen, her throat brutally slashed. She claimed that Lily was first restrained with a rope before being killed with a sharp cleaver.

Valuables, including approximately five bhori of gold jewellery, cash amounting to around five lakh taka, and Lily’s mobile phone, were reportedly stolen during the crime.

Khilgaon Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Shafiqul Islam, stated that the police have launched a manhunt for the accused. “We hope that upon arrest, interrogation will reveal further details about the motive and circumstances of this heinous act,” he said.

The shocking murder has left the local community in grief and anger. Residents have demanded the immediate apprehension of the perpetrator and exemplary punishment to ensure justice.

Incident Summary

The police recovered Lily’s lifeless body from the family home on Saturday afternoon, igniting widespread sorrow and calls for justice across the South Banashree neighbourhood.