After a prolonged 13-year investigation, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) Dhaka district unit says it has finally uncovered the mystery behind the murder of Selima Khan Mojlish, wife of former MP Shamsuddoha Khan Mojlish.
Three individuals, including the victim's daughter, were arrested in connection with the murder: Shamima Khan Mojlish alias Poppy (57), daughter of the victim; Arati Sarkar; and Subol Kumar Roy (50).
The arrests were made on June 4 in the Bhagalpur and Pakija areas of Savar.
According to PBI, the motive for the murder stemmed from an affair between Shamima Khan Mojlish and Subol Kumar Roy, compounded by familial property disputes and political conflicts.
In a press conference held on Tuesday at PBI headquarters in Dhanmondi, PBI Superintendent of Dhaka district Qudrat-e-Khuda disclosed the details of the case. Selima Khan Mojlish lived with her daughters Shamima and Selina, granddaughter, granddaughter’s husband, and grandson, in their two-story house in Savar. On June 14, 2011, between 6:30 and 7:30 am, Selima was found with her throat and abdomen slashed. She was rushed to Enam Medical College Hospital's ICU and later transferred to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka, where she succumbed to her injuries on June 18.
Following her death, Selima's brother, Md. Shafiur Rahman Khan, filed a case. Initially, the police arrested Selima's grandson-in-law Abul Kalam Azad and domestic worker Saraswati's husband, Hari Pada Sarkar. The investigation was later transferred to the CID upon the local police's request.
The CID investigated the case for over four years but failed to find conclusive evidence against the arrested individuals. In October 2015, the CID submitted a final report, and the court directed the PBI to reinvestigate.
SI Saleh Imran took over the case, and on February 16, SI Imran Ahmed was assigned to continue the investigation. On May 30, the “breakthrough” came when Subol Kumar Roy was arrested. His confession led to the arrests of Shamima Khan Mojlish and Arati Sarkar.
In his statement to the PBI, Subol confessed that with Shamima Khan Mojlish's assistance, they attacked Selima in her dining room with a knife. They then moved her to her son Setu's room, covering her with old newspapers and pillows, before fleeing the scene.