Dhaka police have dismantled a disturbing criminal operation involving the illegal exhumation, processing, and sale of human skeletal remains, arresting four individuals in connection with the trade. Authorities recovered 47 human skulls along with numerous other bones, shedding light on a previously hidden network that spanned multiple districts and targeted vulnerable graveyards for profit.
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Arrests and Suspects
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Tejgaon division, led the operation on Monday, apprehending the following individuals:
| Name | Alias | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Kazi Zahurul Islam | Soumik | 25 |
| Md. Abul Kalam | – | 39 |
| Asadul Munsi | Jasim / Ershad | 32 |
| Md. Faisal Ahmed | – | 26 |
Police reports indicate that the suspects were part of a gang that exhumed corpses from graveyards in Mymensingh, Sherpur, Jamalpur, and Gazipur. The skeletal remains were then transported to Dhaka, where they were processed and sold at substantial profits. Two students from Sapporo Dental College in Uttara allegedly treated the skulls with chemicals in their hostel rooms before marketing them via private Facebook groups at 15,000–20,000 taka per skull, significantly higher than the 5,000–7,000 taka acquisition price.
Operation Timeline
The operation began after Tejgaon police received a confidential tip-off. Around 1:45 a.m. on Sunday, Kazi Zahurul Islam (Soumik) was apprehended near Gate 1 of Monipuripara, with a human skull in his possession. Interrogation of Soumik led authorities to Md. Abul Kalam and Asadul Munsi (Jasim/Ershad), who were arrested outside Tejgaon College at approximately 7:15 a.m. on Monday, recovering two additional skulls.
Later that day, a raid on the Sapporo Dental College hostel in Uttara West resulted in the arrest of Md. Faisal Ahmed, from whom 44 human skulls were recovered. All four suspects are now facing charges at Tejgaon Police Station.
Police Statement and Criminal Background
DMP Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman stated that the gang had been operating for an extended period, targeting graveyards in Dhaka and Gazipur, and selling the remains to intermediaries and buyers across the capital. He confirmed that Md. Abul Kalam has 21 prior cases registered at various police stations nationwide, while Asadul Munsi faces two pending cases. Legal proceedings are ongoing, with authorities highlighting the gravity of the crimes due to the desecration of human remains for profit.
Skull Trafficking Overview
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Skulls recovered | 47 |
| Other skeletal remains | Numerous bones |
| Primary buyers | Sapporo Dental College students (Uttara) |
| Initial acquisition price | 5,000–7,000 taka per skull |
| Processed resale price | 15,000–20,000 taka per skull |
| Source districts | Mymensingh, Sherpur, Jamalpur, Gazipur |
| Number of arrested suspects | 4 |
This investigation exposes a macabre underworld in Dhaka, where grave desecration, chemical processing, and online commerce intersect in a lucrative but deeply unethical enterprise. Authorities have pledged to intensify oversight of cemeteries, hostels, and online marketplaces to prevent similar operations in the future.
The case raises urgent questions about regulatory oversight, ethical responsibility, and the protection of human dignity in urban areas, highlighting the need for stronger legal and social safeguards.