The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has apprehended Meraj Mia, 28, the principal suspect in the killing of his seven-month-old son, Mujahid, in the Bhairab Upazila of Kishoreganj. The arrest was executed on Saturday, 2 May, sixteen days after the initial discovery of the infant’s body. The suspect was apprehended in the Manikdi Purbo Kanda area and was subsequently transferred to the custody of the Bhairab Police Station at approximately 4:00 pm that afternoon.
According to Shahjahan, the Acting Commander of the RAB-14 Bhairab Camp, Meraj Mia provided a confessional statement during preliminary interrogation, admitting to the homicide of his infant son. Authorities have indicated that the crime was ostensibly motivated by severe domestic discord and ongoing familial disputes.
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Chronology of the Disappearance and Recovery
The victim, Mujahid, was the son of Meraj Mia and Taslima Begum, residents of the Manikdi Purbo Kanda area within the Gajaria Union. Local accounts and family testimonies suggest that the household had been experiencing significant friction, frequently exacerbated by Meraj Mia’s reported long-term substance abuse.
The events leading to the infant’s death commenced when the child fell ill. According to the formal complaint lodged by the family, Meraj Mia took the infant from the maternal home under the pretext of seeking medical treatment. Following this departure, both the father and the infant disappeared, and their whereabouts remained unknown to the family for several days. During this period of disappearance, local rumours began to circulate suggesting that the child might have been sold.
The situation concluded tragically on the morning of 16 April 2026, when local residents discovered the lifeless body of an infant in a marsh (bil) located in the Purbo Kanda area. Upon notification, the police recovered the remains, which were subsequently identified by Taslima Begum as those of her son, Mujahid.
Legal Action and Investigative Progress
Following the identification of the remains, Taslima Begum initiated legal proceedings by filing a murder case at the Bhairab Police Station. The case names five individuals as defendants, with Meraj Mia designated as the primary accused.
Limon Bose, the Inspector (Investigation) of Bhairab Police Station, confirmed the arrest and noted the collaborative efforts between the police and RAB. He stated that the suspect’s confession provides a critical lead for the prosecution. The police are currently examining whether the other named defendants played any role in the commission of the crime, the concealment of the body, or the events leading to the infant’s death.
Socio-Economic Context and Substance Abuse
Local witnesses and family members have emphasised the role of domestic instability in this tragedy. Meraj Mia was known within the Manikdi community as an individual struggling with chronic addiction, a condition that frequently precipitated violent disputes with his wife and extended family members.
The Bhairab Upazila has recently seen an increased focus from law enforcement regarding crimes stemming from domestic violence and narcotics-related instability. Under the Penal Code of Bangladesh, a murder conviction carries a maximum penalty of the death sentence or life imprisonment, depending on the premeditation and the nature of the act.
Current Status of the Case
The suspect is currently being held in judicial custody while the police finalize the formal charge sheet. The body of the infant has undergone a post-mortem examination, the findings of which will be integrated into the evidence to determine the precise cause of death and the nature of the injuries sustained.
Public representatives from the Gajaria Union have expressed profound shock regarding the incident and have called for an expedited judicial process to ensure accountability for the death of the seven-month-old victim. The case continues to draw significant local attention as authorities investigate the potential involvement of the additional defendants mentioned in the initial First Information Report (FIR).