A deeply disturbing incident unfolded in the Charabunia village of Madarbunia Union, Patuakhali Sadar Upazila, on Friday, June 13.
The prime suspect, 27-year-old Md. Al-Amin, a member of the same family, has been arrested and is now in police custody. According to local sources and official police reports, 105-year-old Kulsum Bibi and 48-year-old Shahida Begum—stepmother of the accused—were brutally hacked and slaughtered with a sharp weapon in their home.
Incident Overview
Police and local witnesses stated that the murder occurred while the male members of the household were away. Al-Amin’s elder brother had gone to a local Union Parishad (UP) member’s house to collect his national ID card, while their father, Razzak Khan, was away at work. During this time, Shahida Begum and elderly Kulsum Bibi were alone at home. Al-Amin reportedly used this opportunity to launch a sudden attack, striking both women with a machete, fatally injuring them and leaving their bodies in the yard before fleeing the scene.
Local residents mentioned that Al-Amin had been showing signs of abnormal behavior for some time. A few days before the incident, he had gone missing and was brought back home by his family members. They had made arrangements to admit him to Pabna Mental Hospital, including purchasing a bus ticket for the night of the incident.
Arrest and Legal Process
According to Patuakhali Sadar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC), Md. Imtiaz Ahmed, the suspect had been on the run since the day of the murder. Police had been conducting raids in various areas to locate him. Finally, on the morning of June 17, based on a confidential tip-off, Al-Amin was apprehended from in front of the ‘Prince of Kamal’ launch terminal in Dhaka’s Sadarghat area. Police confirmed that he is being transported back to Patuakhali, where he will be presented before the court as part of the legal proceedings.
Preliminary Investigation and Forensics
Following the incident, the police recovered the bodies and sent them to Patuakhali Medical College Hospital for autopsy. Preliminary investigations confirmed that both victims were killed using a sharp weapon. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and local police are jointly conducting a detailed investigation into the double homicide.
Family Background and Mental Health Concerns
Kulsum Bibi was Al-Amin’s paternal grandmother, and Shahida Begum was his stepmother. According to family accounts, Al-Amin had been studying at Hatahazari Madrasa in Chittagong after completing his secondary education at Patuakhali Government College. Upon returning home, he reportedly began displaying signs of mental instability. Based on consultations with local doctors, the family decided to seek mental health treatment. He had also recently been missing for several days before being brought home again. However, no institutional or medical evidence of mental illness has yet been found.
Public Reaction
Community members expressed shock and disbelief at the gruesome nature of the crime. While some residents noted that Al-Amin exhibited erratic behavior at times, none expected such an act of violence. Many emphasized the urgent need for accessible and proactive mental healthcare in the community to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Legal Proceedings
A murder case was filed the day after the incident by a local resident named Ismail Molla, naming Al-Amin as the sole accused. The police are currently preparing to bring formal charges and proceed with the judicial process.
Official Statement
Patuakhali District Police Superintendent Md. Anwar Zahid visited the crime scene and confirmed that CID is assisting with the investigation. He stated that while initial findings suggest a possible connection between the murders and the suspect’s mental condition, the authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine all contributing factors.
Publication Date: 18 June, 2025
Reports published in various newspapers on this issue: prothomalo, jugantor, kalerkantho, banglanews24, ittefaq, bd-pratidin, dailyjanakantha, somoynews
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