18 cases of multiple members of same families killed in six months

At least 47 people have been killed in 18 separate incidents involving multiple members of the same family across the country over the past six months, according to an analysis of reported cases, raising fresh concerns over family disputes, substance abuse, property conflicts and other forms of interpersonal violence.

The incidents occurred between February 24 and August 24, with two, three, four or even five members of the same family killed in individual cases.

The latest high-profile case in Rangpur's Machuapara has intensified public concern after retired teacher Ganapati Chakraborty, his wife Pritilata Chakraborty, daughter Agami Chakraborty and son Ayush Chakraborty were allegedly strangled to death.

Police have arrested two young men in connection with the killings, although the motive remains unclear.

On June 25, four members of a family were hacked to death in Raipur, Lakshmipur. The victims were Shahinur Begum, 40, and her three daughters—Saima Akter, 21, Ikra, 17, and Sipa, 10. Police and locals alleged that a drug-addicted young man was involved, but the precise motive has yet to be established.

The other 16 incidents occurred in different parts of the country. Twelve involved two victims from the same family, two involved three victims, three involved four victims and one involved five victims.

The suspected motives varied, including property and land disputes, drug abuse, marital and family conflicts, revenge and personal enmity. Investigators have yet to establish the cause in several cases.

A striking pattern is that at least 14 of the 18 incidents occurred inside homes, rented houses or other residential premises, turning spaces traditionally regarded as safe havens into crime scenes.

May and August recorded the highest concentration of such killings. Five incidents occurred in May, while another five were reported in the first 24 days of August. Together, the two months accounted for 27 deaths in 10 incidents.

Crime analysts say the killings point to deeper social problems beyond conventional law-and-order concerns. Unresolved family disputes, property conflicts, substance abuse, revenge and the failure to identify warning signs early are among the factors that can escalate domestic tensions into deadly violence.

Police Headquarters spokesperson A H M Shahadat Hossain said police were working not only to arrest suspects after crimes but also to identify underlying causes and potential risks. He said personal disputes, family conflicts, property or financial disagreements and previous enmity often contribute to killings inside homes.

The wider murder statistics also show an increase. Police Headquarters data show that 2,076 murder cases were filed between January and July this year, compared with 1,947 during the same period in 2025—an increase of 129 cases.

The combination of rising murder cases and a series of multiple-victim family killings has renewed concerns about personal safety, particularly inside homes, and highlighted the need for earlier intervention in family disputes, substance-related problems and other situations showing signs of escalating violence.