Woman's dismembered body found in briefcase, sack; 3 arrested

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has arrested three people, including the victim's boyfriend, after identifying a woman whose dismembered body was recovered from a briefcase and a sack dumped in water beside the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway in Gazipur.

According to PBI, the murder was planned following a dispute over a marriage promise and financial matters.

The victim, identified as Dolly Akter, also known as Kalia, 30, was the younger sister of Sohel, 44, of Pahar Paboijan village in Muktagacha, Mymensingh.

She had been living alone in the Memberbari area of Baniarchala under Joydebpur Police Station following her divorce.

On 11 September, police recovered one part of a partially decomposed body from a briefcase found in water beside the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway and another part from a sack dumped nearby.

Dolly's elder brother Sohel later filed a case with Joydebpur Police Station against unidentified people on charges of murder and concealing the body.

PBI's Gazipur district unit took over the investigation on 12 September. A crime scene team led by Police Inspector Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman Ansari analysed records and intelligence information to identify the victim and determine the circumstances surrounding the killing.

As part of the investigation, PBI arrested Mishon Islam, his mother Banu Akter and his friend Mizanur Rahman Milton the same day.

According to PBI, a cleaver and blade allegedly used to dismember the body, Scotch tape used to package it, Dolly's national identity card, a button phone and her shoes were recovered from Mishon's room based on information he provided.

Investigators also collected CCTV footage showing the purchase of the suitcase allegedly used to transport the body.

PBI said Dolly met Mishon around five years ago while working at Tamanna Garments, and the two later became romantically involved.

A dispute subsequently developed between them over a marriage promise and financial matters, leading Mishon to allegedly plan Dolly's murder, according to the investigation.

PBI said Dolly went to Mishon's home on the night of 8 September and had an argument with his mother, Banu Akter. Dolly and Mishon later stayed in the same room.

According to PBI, Mishon gave Dolly sleeping medication as part of the alleged plan.

After she fell asleep, he allegedly strangled her with a lungi while pinning her down with his foot at around 2am. He then allegedly pressed a pillow over her face to ensure her death.

Mishon allegedly hid the body under a bed before buying a suitcase the following day. He then cut the body in half at the waist using a cleaver and blade, PBI said.

The lower part was placed in the suitcase, while the upper part was wrapped in polythene and put in a sack.

Later, Mishon and his mother allegedly called their acquaintance Mizanur Rahman Milton to their home, telling him they were moving house.

They then took the suitcase and sack to Bhabanipur and allegedly dumped them into a canal from Bhabanipur Bridge, according to PBI.

Investigators said blood got on Milton's hand while they were disposing of the body, after which Mishon told him what had happened. The three later returned to their respective homes.

PBI said all three accused gave confessional statements before a court on 13 September.

Abu Yusuf, superintendent of police at the PBI media wing, said the agency identified the victim and uncovered the circumstances of the murder by analysing data and intelligence after taking over the investigation.

He said three people allegedly involved in the killing had been arrested and key evidence recovered. PBI is investigating whether anyone else was involved, he added.

Md Rakibul Akter, superintendent of police at the Gazipur PBI, said the victim's identity was initially difficult to establish because the body was partially decomposed. However, technological analysis and a thorough investigation by PBI helped quickly unravel the mystery and bring the suspects to justice.

He added that all three arrested accused had given confessional statements before the court, while PBI was also investigating whether anyone else was involved in the incident.