The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has uncovered the circumstances surrounding the killing of 44-year-old Rina Akter, the wife of an expatriate, whose body was found buried under sand inside a building under construction in Shorshodi Union of Feni Sadar Upazila. The prime suspect, mason Saiful Islam, was arrested in Chattogram within two days of the incident.
According to investigators, the accused confessed during preliminary interrogation that he had planned the killing in order to obtain money to pay loan instalments and later robbed the victim of her gold jewellery.
The information was disclosed on Thursday, 14 May, at a press briefing held at the PBI office in Feni by Superintendent of Police Ukya Singha of PBI Feni.
Saiful Islam, 29, is the son of Abul Khayer from the Mohammad Ali Bazar area of Shorshodi Union in Feni Sadar. He works professionally as a mason.
According to PBI officials, on 12 May, Rina Akter, wife of expatriate Mohammad Manik, went to their newly constructed house in the West Joarkachar area of Shorshodi Union to water the premises. When she failed to return home by evening, family members began searching for her. Her body was later discovered beneath a pile of sand on the floor of the unfinished building.
Investigators stated that Saiful Islam, who had been working at the construction site, fled the area immediately after the incident. Following the discovery of the body, the victim’s son, Mohorom Ali, filed a murder case with Feni Model Police Station.
The investigation was subsequently transferred to the PBI. A team from the PBI Feni office launched an operation based on intelligence information and eventually arrested Saiful Islam late on the night of Wednesday, 13 May, from the Chowdhury Nagar residential area under Bayezid Bostami Police Station in Chattogram Metropolitan City.
During initial questioning, the accused reportedly admitted involvement in the murder. He told investigators that he had been under financial and mental pressure due to unpaid loan instalments. According to his statement, he planned the killing in order to collect money.
PBI officials said that when Rina Akter arrived at the construction site on the afternoon of the incident, Saiful allegedly strangled her with the intention of stealing her jewellery. He then concealed the body beneath a mound of sand inside the building before fleeing.
Investigators further stated that the accused removed a pair of gold earrings from the victim and later sold them at Mohammad Ali Bazar for approximately Tk 15,500. Acting on information provided by the suspect, PBI recovered the earrings from a jewellery shop.
Key Facts of the Case
| Subject | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Rina Akter, 44 |
| Main accused | Saiful Islam, 29 |
| Profession of accused | Mason |
| Location of incident | West Joarkachar, Shorshodi Union, Feni Sadar |
| Date body discovered | 12 May |
| Arrest location | Chowdhury Nagar, Bayezid Bostami, Chattogram |
| Alleged motive | Collecting money for loan instalments |
| Recovered item | One pair of gold earrings |
| Investigating agency | Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) |
PBI Superintendent Ukya Singha stated that investigators had successfully uncovered the main motive and sequence of events behind the killing. He added that arrangements were under way to produce the accused before the court on Friday, 15 May. According to the PBI official, the accused had initially confessed to the allegations and was expected to provide a confessional statement before the court.