In a deeply distressing incident in Daulatpur, Kushtia, a two-and-a-half-year-old girl, Nuzayfa Akter, was brutally murdered by her aunt, Kalpana Akter, who allegedly attempted to disguise the crime as a suicide. Police have since arrested the accused, bringing a shocking end to the harrowing case.
The tragic event occurred on Wednesday (18 March) in the South Darer Para village of Daulatpur Upazila. Nuzayfa was the daughter of Abdur Rahman, a resident of the area.
Circumstances of the Murder
According to police reports, Kalpana Akter, motivated by long-standing disputes with Nuzayfa’s mother, Priya Khatun, lured the child to a nearby mahogany plantation. There, she allegedly strangled the toddler with her own scarf and subsequently hung Nuzayfa’s body from a tree, attempting to stage the death as a suicide.
Local residents discovered the child at around 4:00 pm, immediately notifying the authorities. Nuzayfa was rushed to a nearby hospital, but doctors confirmed she had already passed away before arrival.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Nuzayfa Akter, 2.5 years old |
| Accused | Kalpana Akter, aunt of the victim |
| Location | South Darer Para, Daulatpur Upazila, Kushtia |
| Time of Discovery | 4:00 pm, 18 March 2026 |
| Method | Strangulation with scarf; body hung from tree |
| Motive | Family disputes with the child’s mother |
| Status | Accused arrested; police investigation ongoing |
Police Investigation
Officer-in-Charge Arifur Rahman of Daulatpur Police Station confirmed that Nuzayfa’s body has been sent to the Kushtia General Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination. Kalpana Akter confessed to the murder during preliminary questioning, and her husband was also interrogated.
Tawhidul Hasan Tuhin, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, reiterated that the child had died prior to being brought to the hospital. Police have initiated legal proceedings against the accused and are continuing the investigation to establish whether any others were involved.
Community Impact and Response
The incident has shocked residents across Kushtia, raising urgent concerns about child safety within domestic environments. Authorities emphasise the critical role of community vigilance in reporting suspicious behaviour, a factor that contributed to the rapid arrest of the perpetrator.
Experts warn that such tragedies highlight the need for robust safeguarding measures, particularly in cases of long-standing familial conflict, and call for increased awareness, monitoring, and protective interventions to prevent future child abuse within homes.