The decomposed body of six-year-old Muntaha Aktar Jerin was discovered early Sunday, wrapped in mud and hidden for nearly a week in Sylhet’s Kanaighat upazila.
Local residents apprehended Alifjan Bibi, mother of Muntaha’s house tutor Shamima Begum Marzia, as she attempted to dump the body into a nearby pond, police said.
The victim, daughter of Shamim Ahmed of Bharafoud village under Birdal union, had been missing since November 3. Her body bore injury marks, and her throat was bound with ropes, said Abdul Awal, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kanaighat Police Station.
Police have arrested three suspects: Muntaha’s house tutor Shamima Begum Marzia, her mother Alifjan Bibi, and her grandmother Kutubjan. During interrogation, Marzia and her mother admitted their involvement, OC Awal said.
Around 4 am on Sunday, locals noticed Alifjan crossing the road under suspicious circumstances. When confronted, she tried to flee but was caught carrying Muntaha’s body, said Afsar Uddin Ahmed, chairman of Kanaighat Sadar Union Parishad.
“The body was buried near their home. They attempted to throw it into a pond,” Chairman Afsar said.
Muntaha disappeared after going out to play with friends on the afternoon of November 3. Despite extensive searches by family and villagers, she remained missing. The family even announced a reward of Tk 100,000 on social media for information leading to her recovery.
Police detained house tutor Marzia for questioning on Saturday, as suspicion grew over recent tensions between her and Muntaha’s family. Locals were alerted to signs of digging near Marzia’s house, leading to the eventual discovery of the body.
Missing girl Muntaha found dead in a pond near her home in Sylhet's Kanaighat: Police
While the exact motive behind the murder is yet to be determined, police suspect a personal conflict may have played a role.
The discovery has sparked outrage among local residents, who dismantled Marzia’s house shortly after the body was recovered.
Police have sent Muntaha’s body to Sylhet Osmani Medical College and Hospital for an autopsy, while investigations continue to uncover the full circumstances of the crime.