The heinous killing of five members of a family inside a rented house in Kapasia upazila of Gazipur has sent shockwaves through the area, with investigators suspecting that the murders were carefully planned long before it took place.
Police say the prime suspect, Forkan Mia, a private car driver, allegedly fled after slaughtering his wife, three daughters and brother-in-law, leaving behind five identical typed “notes” beside the bodies.
The victims were identified as Forkan’s wife Sharmin Khanom, 40; daughters Meem, 16, Maria, 8, and Faria, 2; and Sharmin’s younger brother Rasul, 22.
Their bodies were recovered from a rented house in Rautkona village on Saturday morning.
Investigators suspect the killings may have been driven by long-standing family disputes, allegations of an extramarital relationship, and financial conflicts involving Tk 10 lakh, though police say all claims are still being verified.
A silent house, a horrifying discovery
According to police and local residents, relatives rushed to the house after receiving a phone call from Forkan early Saturday informing them about the deaths.
When they entered the residence, they found the bodies lying inside with deep throat injuries.
The house, owned by expatriate Monir Hossain, had been rented by Forkan around five months ago after he moved from Tongi with his family.
Neighbours told investigators the family kept largely to themselves and had little interaction with local residents.
Police officials believe the isolated location may have been chosen deliberately.
Typed accusations left beside bodies
One of the most startling discoveries at the scene was five identical typed documents resembling formal complaint letters addressed to the Officer-in-Charge of Gopalganj Sadar Police Station.
According to investigators, the documents contained allegations against Sharmin and several of her relatives.
The papers claimed that Sharmin was involved in an extramarital relationship with a cousin and that members of her family had embezzled around Tk 10 lakh earned by Forkan and used the money to purchase land.
The documents also alleged that Forkan had been tied up and assaulted on May 5 after confronting his wife over the alleged affair.
Police officials said they are trying to determine whether any such complaint had actually been filed with the police station mentioned in the documents.
Investigators stressed that the allegations remain unverified.
Signs of premeditation
Crime scene investigators recovered liquor bottles, machetes and other materials from the house, leading police to suspect the victims may have been drugged before the killings.
Officials involved in the investigation said the murders appeared highly planned.
“Several important pieces of evidence have been collected from the scene.
After the killings, Forkan allegedly switched off his mobile phone and disappeared. Police suspect he fled using the private vehicle he used for work.
Multiple agencies join investigation
Additional Superintendent of Police (Kaliganj Circle) Md Asaduzzaman said the bodies were sent to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsies.
He said teams from district police, Detective Branch (DB), CID and Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) are conducting parallel investigations.
“We are examining all evidence carefully and trying to arrest the accused as quickly as possible,” he said.
Police also confirmed that two people are being questioned over possible links to the case, though their identities have not yet been disclosed.
Shock and fear in the neighbourhood
The gruesome killings have left residents of the quiet rural neighbourhood stunned.
Many gathered outside the house throughout the day as police cordoned off the area and forensic teams collected evidence.
Locals said they never imagined such violence could occur inside the seemingly quiet family home.