Sylhet triple murder: Police recover knife based on suspect's information
The knife allegedly used in the murder of an elderly couple and their domestic help in Sylhet's Raynagar area has been recovered, police said.
Acting on information provided by the lone suspect in custody, Babul Miah, 40, police recovered the blood-stained knife from a vacant plot in Raynagar this morning, said Mohammad Saiful Islam, deputy commissioner (north and prosecution) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP).
“We will send the knife for forensic examination. The blood on it will be matched with samples collected from the crime scene. This will help determine whose blood it is,” he said.
Police recovered the bodies of MA Sattar, 82, his wife Suraiya Begum, 72, and their domestic help Tahmina, 15, from their house in the Mitali area around 11:00am yesterday. Later that afternoon, police detained Babul as a suspect.
During interrogation, Babul told investigators that he had thrown the knife into a vacant plot in Raynagar after the killings, the police official said. Police searched the area last evening but found nothing. A renewed search involving labourers this morning led to the recovery of the weapon.
Based on evidence collected so far, investigators believe an attempt was made to wash the knife after the killings, as blood stains were found near a basin inside the house.
“However, dried blood was also found on the knife's blade and on a bag,” DC Saiful added.
Babul, who had been working as a painter at the house, is also a part-time butcher, he said.
“The recovered knife is six to seven inches long, has a wooden handle, and matches the description provided by Babul Miah,” he added.
DC Saiful said preliminary interrogation showed that Babul had met and remained in contact with the house help while working at the residence.
It remains unclear whether the relationship had become romantic, he said.
According to police, Babul told investigators he had been angered by certain behaviour of Tahmina.
Based on preliminary findings, investigators believe he went to the house carrying the knife and attacked Tahmina first. When Suraiya Begum tried to intervene, he attacked her as well. He then stabbed Sattar when he came forward, before fleeing through the veranda.
“A small bolt beneath the door was found broken when people entered the house after the killings. Handprints and footprints were found on the veranda railing, which Babul said he used to escape, and blood stains were found on the ground below,” DC Saiful said.
So far, investigators have found no evidence that anyone other than Babul entered the house during the killings, he added.
“Several wardrobes and almirahs in the house were found open after the killings, although none appeared to have been forced open. It remains unclear whether any valuables were taken,” he said.
A three-page document was also found at the scene. It was not an original deed and appeared to be a photocopy or duplicate, he added.
Investigators have not yet determined whether the document is linked to any legal case or property dispute, and the matter remains under investigation.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. No case has yet been filed in connection with the murders.
DC Saiful said the victims' children, who live abroad, are travelling to Bangladesh. “They will file a case through their lawyers. Once the complaint is submitted, we will register it and produce Babul Miah before the court,” he said.
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