A chilling series of discoveries across the capital has left residents shaken after dismembered human body parts were recovered from multiple locations, including Motijheel, Nayapaltan, Baitul Mukarram and near Kamalapur Railway Station.
Police have since arrested a man in connection with the killing, identifying him as Shaheen, the roommate of the victim, Obaidullah, a resident of Shibpur in Narsingdi.
The arrest information was disclosed at a press briefing held on Sunday at the media centre of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Minto Road.
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A Crime That Unfolded in Fragments
According to investigators, Obaidullah was killed around 8pm on February 27 following a quarrel at the rented flat he shared with Shaheen on Kabi Jasimuddin Road in Motijheel. What followed has stunned even seasoned law enforcement officials.
Police allege that the body was cut into seven pieces and dispersed across various parts of the city later that night. By 9pm, the accused had begun disposing of the remains, reportedly transporting them on a bicycle.
The first discovery was made on Friday night, when a human leg was found in a polythene bag in front of the Scouts Bhaban in Kakrail. On Saturday morning, two severed hands were recovered near the gates of the National Stadium. Later, another leg was found close to Kamalapur Railway Station. Additional parts were subsequently retrieved from other areas mentioned by police.
One part of the body remains missing.
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Motijheel Division Deputy Commissioner Harun-or-Rashid said the suspect was identified through CCTV footage showing him moving suspiciously with packages across different areas. “Based on video evidence and subsequent investigation, Shaheen was arrested,” he said.
Motive and Investigation
During interrogation, Shaheen reportedly confessed to the crime.
Police said the dispute between the two men had stemmed from everyday tensions that gradually escalated. The accused also alleged repeated arguments involving what he described as immoral proposals, though investigators say the exact motive remains under scrutiny.
Obaidullah worked in marketing for a homeopathic company, while Shaheen was employed at a hotel in Hirajheel. The two had been sharing accommodation in Motijheel for some time.
Deputy Commissioner Harun-or-Rashid said some body parts were thrown from the Aminbazar–Salimpur Bridge, further complicating recovery efforts. Law enforcement agencies continue search operations to locate the remaining remains.
Public Shock and Security Concerns
The grisly nature of the crime and the scattering of body parts across some of the capital’s busiest commercial and transport hubs have triggered widespread alarm among residents. Areas such as Baitul Mukarram and Kamalapur Railway Station are typically crowded with commuters, traders and worshippers, amplifying the sense of unease.
Security experts say the case underscores the growing reliance on CCTV surveillance in urban crime detection.
In this instance, footage proved critical in tracking the suspect’s movements and piecing together the timeline of events.
Legal proceedings against Shaheen are now underway. Police say further details will emerge as the investigation progresses.