In a harrowing incident in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, a 20-year-old domestic worker, Ayesha Akter, has been arrested for allegedly murdering her employer, Laila Afroza (48), and Laila’s daughter, Nafisa Nawal Binte Aziz (15), during an attempted theft at their residence. Police report that Ayesha was intercepted while attempting to flee with stolen gold jewellery and other valuables. A violent confrontation ensued, during which she allegedly stabbed both mother and daughter to death.
Sub-Inspector (SI) Sahidul Islam of Mohammadpur Police Station confirmed the case on Wednesday afternoon. According to police sources, Ayesha confessed during preliminary questioning to having committed the murders.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, Ayesha was apprehended alongside her husband, Jamal Sikdar (25), in Kayarchar, Nalchiti Upazila, Jhalokathi. Police stated that Jamal is a local resident, while Ayesha is the daughter of Rabiul Islam from Salimganj in Narsingdi. Following the killings, she reportedly fled Mohammadpur with her husband to his family home in Kayarchar.
SI Sahidul Islam stated that Ayesha’s arrest was made on the basis of confidential intelligence, aided by technological resources. Both Ayesha and her husband are undergoing further interrogation. According to Jamal Sikdar, Ayesha had no prior intent to kill Laila and Nafisa. The fatal attack occurred after Laila caught her attempting to steal jewellery; in panic, Ayesha allegedly stabbed the mother and daughter.
The murder case was formally lodged at Mohammadpur Police Station on Monday night by A.J.M. Azizul Islam, the husband of Laila and father of Nafisa. The complaint notes that the killings occurred sometime between 7:51 a.m. and 9:35 a.m. on Monday. Police revealed that Ayesha had been employed at the household for only four days prior to the incident. CCTV footage shows that she routinely entered the house wearing a burqa or otherwise concealing her face, and on the day of the crime, she reportedly left wearing Nafisa’s school uniform.
The shocking incident has sent ripples of fear and grief through the local community, with police continuing their investigation into the precise motive and the sequence of events leading to the killings.