Police arrest main suspect over brutal killing of 7-year-old in Pallabi

Police have arrested the main accused, Sohel Rana, 34, in connection with the brutal killing of seven-year-old Ramisa Akter in Dhaka's Pallabi area.

He was detained this evening (19 May) in Narayanganj's Fatullah area, police confirmed.

Mirpur Division Deputy Commissioner Md Mostak Sarkar said the accused has not yet been fully interrogated, adding that detailed information will be shared after questioning.

Earlier in the day, police recovered the dismembered body of Ramisa from a rented flat on the third floor of House 39 on Road 7, Block B, Section 11 of Pallabi's Mirpur-11 area.

Beheaded body of 7-year-old recovered in Mirpur; police suspect rape by neighbour

Authorities said the child's head was severed after the killing and was later found inside a bathroom, while the main body was recovered from beneath a bed.

Police said Sohel Rana, a rickshaw mechanic, had been living in the adjacent flat with his wife for the past two months. Following the incident, he allegedly escaped by breaking the bathroom grill, while his wife was taken into custody for questioning.

According to police, Ramisa went missing shortly after she was last seen preparing to go to school with her elder sister around 10:30am.

She was a Class Two student at a local school, the daughter of Abdul Hannan Molla and Parveen Akter. The family has lived in the same building for around 17 years.

Family members said the child's mother first noticed one of her slippers outside the flat and later tried knocking on the neighbour's door, but received no response.

After repeated attempts failed, suspicion grew, and the matter was reported to the police. Officers later broke open the door and recovered the body following a 999 emergency call.

Police have recovered bloodstains and other forensic evidence from Sohel's room. Investigators said the killing likely took place between 10:30am and 11am. Further details are expected after interrogation.