Bodies of 5 murder victims buried in Gopalganj at swift steps of Gazipur DC

With swift initiatives taken by the Gazipur district administration, the bodies of five members of a family who were killed in Kapasia were buried in their home district of Gopalganj this morning (10 May).

The bodies reached their home in Paikkandi village under Gopalganj Sadar upazila at around 6:30am. They were buried at the local Uttar Charpara graveyard following namaz-e-janaza held at the Paikkandi Panchapalli Madrasah ground at around 11am.

The deceased were identified as Sharmin Khanam, 35, her brother Rasul, 22, and her three daughters – Mim, 16, Maria, 8, and Faria, 2.

Officials said relatives of the deceased and a large number of locals attended the funeral prayers.

Police recovered the blood-stained bodies of the five victims from a rented house in Rautkona Purbapara village of Kapasia Sadar upazila on Saturday morning (9 May).

Police said two persons linked to the car business of suspected killer Forkan Miah have already been detained for questioning. Their identities were not immediately disclosed.

According to locals and police, Forkan Miah allegedly killed his wife, three daughters and brother-in-law before fleeing the scene. Before fleeing, he reportedly confessed to relatives over mobile phone calls.

Police also recovered several computer-typed charge sheets, handwritten notes, liquor and signs of drug use from the house.

Following the killings, Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Md Nurul Karim Bhuiyan took steps to expedite the autopsy process and arrange transportation of the bodies to the victims' family in Gopalganj.

On his instructions, senior administration officials rushed to the scene, including Additional District Magistrate Salma Khatun, Kapasia Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tamanna Tasneem, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Nahidul Haque and two executive magistrates.

Although autopsies at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital are usually closed after 2pm, the deputy commissioner contacted doctors directly and arranged for all five autopsies to be completed on Saturday night due to the seriousness of the case and concerns over decomposition.

Initially, authorities considered transporting the bodies in a pickup van, but later arranged two freezing vans considering the bad weather and long journey. The district administration also arranged to bear all transportation and burial expenses.

Locals praised the administration's role after the vehicles carrying the bodies left for Gopalganj late Saturday night.

Shahinur Alam, officer-in-charge of Kapasia Police Station, told BSS that police initially suspected the killings stemmed from a family dispute.

"The recovered documents, drugs and other evidence were being examined, and several police teams have been working in the field to hold suspect Forkan Miah," he said.

Gazipur Additional Superintendent of Police (Kapasia-Kaliganj Circle) Mohammad Asaduzzaman said, "This is a very sensitive and brutal incident. The police, PBI, DB and CID are working together to uncover the real reason behind the incident."

Gazipur Superintendent of Police Md Sharif Uddin said the killing of five members of the same family was "very tragic."

"The incident is being investigated with utmost importance. Along with the district police, various units, including DB, CID and PBI, are working in coordination. Two people are being interrogated to collect important information about the killer. We are hopeful that the main mystery behind the killings will be unravelled and those involved in the incident will be brought to justice very soon," he said.