Tonu murder: Cumilla court orders DNA matching of 3 suspects a decade after case filed
"We believe today's development is merely for show. We want the truth to be revealed," says Tonu's brother.
A court in Cumilla today (6 April) ordered DNA testing of three suspects in the rape and murder case of Sohagi Jahan Tonu, a decade after the case was filed.
The order was issued by Cumilla Chief Judicial Magistrate Md Mominul Haque after the investigating officer, PBI Inspector Md Tariqul Islam, appeared before the court and submitted a progress report.
According to court sources, the development follows a recent directive from the court seeking an update on the investigation.
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In response, the investigating officer presented a written report, after which the court ordered DNA matching of three individuals.
Speaking to reporters, Inspector Md Tariqul Islam said, "Earlier, DNA profiles of three individuals were created from some of Tonu's belongings. These were never matched later. Therefore, the court today directed that the DNA of the three suspects be matched. Those three have already retired from the army."
He added that the court has asked for an update on the investigation progress on the next date of hearing.
However, Tonu's brother, Rubel Hossain, expressed dissatisfaction with the latest development.
"The DNA of several suspects has been tested before as well. At that time, no one was informed about the results. The CID officer who was investigating was also removed. We believe today's development is merely for show. We want the truth to be revealed," he said.
According to case details, the investigation has changed hands multiple times without reaching a conclusion.
Most recently, on 7 April last year, the investigating officer visited the crime scene in the Cumilla Cantonment area and spoke with the plaintiff, Tonu's father Yar Hossain, at his office.
PBI Inspector Md Tariqul Islam is the sixth investigating officer assigned to the case.
On the evening of 20 March 2016, Tonu went to a house inside the Cumilla Cantonment to give tuition but did not return home.
Her body was later found in a nearby jungle area close to the power house within the cantonment.
The following day, her father filed a murder case with Cumilla Kotwali Model Police Station against unidentified persons.
The case was initially investigated by local police, followed by the Detective Branch (DB) and later the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), but none were able to solve the case.
On 21 October 2020, following instructions from Police Headquarters, the case was handed over from the CID to the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI).
For nearly four years, the case was investigated by PBI Inspector Md Mujibur Rahman. Since September 2024, Inspector Md Tariqul Islam has been serving as the sixth investigating officer.
Earlier today, Tonu's father, Yar Hossain, said, "It has been 10 years since my daughter was murdered. I have given statements countless times in the cantonment area, Cumilla police offices, and various offices in Dhaka. I have not received any result.
"Today, the investigating officer told me to be present in court, and I will go. Before I die, I want to see justice for my daughter under the new government."
