Tongi couple confesses to killing woman with disabilities to steal money for rent : PBI

A Tongi couple killed a woman with disabilities to steal her money as they were failing to pay rent, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) said today (26 May). 

Both individuals have confessed to the crime in statements recorded under Section 164 before the Gazipur Metropolitan Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court. 

Gazipur PBI Superintendent of Police Abul Kalam confirmed the arrest and stated that the suspects were remanded following their confessional statements.

The victim, Rabeya Sabrin (28), hailed from Uttar Potkhali village in Bhandaria upazila of Pirojpur. She had been employed as a computer operator at the Sharirik Protibondhi Surokkha Trust (Moitri Shilpa) and resided with her mother in a rented flat in the Pukurpar area of Tongi.

The accused, Saiful Islam (28) and his wife Sadia Akter (19), originally from Nindarabad in Brahmanbaria's Bijoynagar upazila, were tenants in the same neighbourhood. 

According to police, the motive arose from the accused's failure to pay two months' rent. 

During interrogation, Saiful — reportedly a garment worker  — confessed to targeting Sabrin after learning she had received a bonus payment. 

On the morning of 19 May, the couple entered her home, restrained and suffocated her, and fled with Tk1,250 and 2 kilograms of rice.

A neighbour discovered Sabrin's flat locked from the outside. 

Upon entry, her body was found on the bed, hands and feet bound, with a scarf and towel used to cover her mouth. 

The body was recovered and sent to the Shaheed Taj Uddin Ahmad Medical College morgue for post-mortem examination.

Sabrin's mother filed a murder case against unidentified persons at Tongi East Police Station. 

A parallel investigation by the PBI led to the detention of the couple for questioning. 

SP Abul Kalam noted that a mobile phone stolen from Sabrin days earlier played a pivotal role in tracking down the perpetrators and uncovering the circumstances of the crime.