A 36-year-old woman was allegedly hacked to death with a machete by her nephew in Sherpur district on Wednesday afternoon, with police later arresting the young man suspected of carrying out the attack.
The incident took place at around 1pm on 16 September in Kamarpাড়া village of Charsapmari, under Bhatshala Union in Sherpur Sadar upazila. The victim, Rokeya Begum, was the wife of local resident Lal Mia and a mother of three children.
Police and local residents said Rokeya was sitting on a chair in the courtyard of her home, feeding her young child, when her neighbour and nephew Ariful Islam, 20, suddenly appeared carrying a sharp machete. Before she could react, he allegedly attacked her from behind, striking her on the neck and several other parts of her body.
The injuries proved fatal and Rokeya died at the scene.
Ariful is the son of Aminul Islam, who is described as Rokeya’s brother-in-law and neighbour. Following the attack, Ariful allegedly returned to his own room while still wearing bloodstained clothes. He reportedly took a shower and attempted to hide.
After receiving information about the killing, a team from Sherpur Sadar Police Station, led by Officer-in-Charge Khokon Chandra Ghosh, went to the scene. Police subsequently detained Ariful as a suspect.
According to police, Ariful admitted during preliminary questioning that he had killed his aunt. Based on information allegedly provided by him, officers recovered a bloodstained pair of trousers from his room. The recovered clothing is expected to form part of the evidence being examined as investigators establish what happened before and after the attack.
Local residents have alleged that Ariful had been addicted to drugs for a long period. Some believe he may have attacked Rokeya while under the influence of drugs, possibly following a family dispute or over a minor matter. Police, however, have not confirmed this account, and the motive for the killing remains unclear.
The incident has caused shock in the village, particularly because the attack occurred in the family courtyard while Rokeya was caring for her young child. Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack and determine whether there was any prior dispute between the two families.
Police recovered Rokeya’s body from the scene and prepared an inquest report before sending it to the mortuary of Sherpur District Sadar Hospital for a post-mortem examination. The examination is expected to provide further medical evidence concerning the nature and extent of her injuries.
Officer-in-Charge Khokon Chandra Ghosh said preparations were under way to file a murder case over the incident. He added that police were investigating the circumstances behind the killing and working to establish the exact motive.
The arrest of Ariful does not by itself establish criminal guilt, which will ultimately be determined through the legal process. Police said further action would be taken as the investigation progresses.
