Fresh and increasingly troubling details have emerged in the investigation into the murder of 26-year-old Sharmin Akter Sheli in the Jurain area of the capital, adding new layers of complexity to a case already shrouded in suspicion and alleged deception.
According to investigators, significant developments have been uncovered involving the victim’s mobile phone, which was reportedly used to send messages and communicate with multiple individuals after her death. Police believe this indicates a deliberate attempt to mislead investigators and destroy potential digital evidence.
Sheli’s decomposed body was recovered on Sunday afternoon from a fourth-floor flat in a building located near Kadamtoli’s Jurain Commissioner Mor area. Following the discovery, her mother, Sahana Begum, filed a murder case with Kadamtoli Police Station, naming Abdullah Al Mamun—described as Sheli’s so-called husband—as the principal accused.
Investigators revealed that Mamun had rented the flat around eight to nine months earlier, introducing himself as Sheli’s husband. CCTV footage and digital tracking suggest that he entered the premises on 21 April and left the following morning. The flat was subsequently found locked from the outside.
On 23 April, a foul odour began emanating from the apartment, prompting other tenants to alert the landlord. When the landlord attempted to contact Sheli via her mobile phone, a reply was received stating that she was away and would deal with the matter upon her return. Police now confirm that this response was not sent by Sheli herself, but by someone using her phone after her death.
Further forensic analysis of digital communications, including WhatsApp activity, indicates that conversations continued from Sheli’s device following her suspected murder. Investigators also traced the phone’s last known location to the Swopnadhara residential area in Pallabi, where Mamun was reportedly present during that period.
Key Timeline of Events
| Date | Incident |
|---|---|
| 21 April | Mamun enters the flat |
| 22–26 April | Estimated period of murder |
| 23 April | Foul smell detected from flat |
| 24–25 April | Messages sent from victim’s phone |
| 27 April | Body recovered and case filed |
Police officials believe Mamun attempted to conceal the crime using chemical substances, including bleach, to delay detection and obscure forensic evidence. Authorities also suspect that advanced technological manipulation was used to misdirect the investigation.
The Deputy Commissioner of the Wari Division confirmed that Mamun has been arrested and remanded in police custody for two days. Investigators are hopeful that interrogation will yield critical information, including whether additional individuals were involved.
An unnamed police official stated that Mamun previously served as a major in the armed forces but was later dismissed from service. He had been married before, as had Sheli, who also had a child from a previous marriage. Their acquaintance reportedly began in 2023 through social media, gradually developing into a relationship.
Sheli’s mother has alleged that her daughter had long been subjected to abuse and threats, particularly when she resisted pressure to formalise the relationship. She further claimed that Sheli had been assaulted and threatened with death in the days leading up to her disappearance.
Authorities now suspect a premeditated killing involving manipulation, domestic exploitation, and digital deception. The investigation remains ongoing as police continue to piece together the full sequence of events and determine whether others were complicit in the crime.