Dark world of narcotics and a half-decomposed body

After five months in hiding, Sumaiya finally returned. But she returned lifeless, a noose around her neck. Her family had searched desperately for her, trying her mobile phone repeatedly but getting no response. She had withdrawn from her husband and her mother's family and plunged into a dark world—a life shrouded in mystery and narcotics.

The incident occurred in Shajahanpur upazila of Bogura. Sumaiya Akter, 32, was the daughter of late Johurul Islam from the Madhyapara village of Partekhuri. She was married nearly eight years ago to Bappi from the same village.

According to her family, Sumaiya's relationship with her husband was not good. She spent most of her time at her father's house. During this period, she grew close to two young men from the Kharana Dhawapara village in the same sub-district: Raju and Rakibul Islam. It is alleged that Raju eventually drew her into the drug trade.

On June 25, Sumaiya's half-decomposed body was recovered from a rented house in the B-block, Rahimabad Shalukgari village of Shajahanpur. Her body was found hanging from the ceiling, with a scarf wrapped around her neck.

It was revealed that Sumaiya had been hiding in that house. Raju lived with her there, posing as her husband.

The Path into Hiding

Sumaiya had left home, telling her family she was going to her husband's house. Instead, she went elsewhere. Her mother, her brother Kawsar, and her husband Bappi tried repeatedly to contact her but failed. It was later discovered she had gone to the young man named Raju, who is locally accused of being involved in the drug trade. This same Raju entangled her in a web of crime, pulling her into the dangerous business of selling drugs. Sumaiya ignored all her family's pleas and warnings. When her brother Kawsar Ahmed protested, he was assaulted by Raju, Rakibul, and their associates. After this, a deep darkness descended upon Sumaiya's life. She went into hiding, only to return as a corpse.

What Happened Before She Left

Before her body was found, Sumaiya had begun staying at her father's house for long periods instead of going to her husband's. During this time, she began a full-fledged association with Raju, who started using her to sell drugs. Sumaiya's brother, Kawsar, learned of this and began pressuring her to return to her husband and leave the drug trade. At one point, Raju and his associates beat Kawsar for this interference.

Sumaiya's brother Kawsar stated that his sister was friends with Raju and Rakibul. Raju, he said, is locally accused of drug dealing and was using Sumaiya to sell Yaba tablets. After learning of this, the family repeatedly urged Sumaiya to leave the trade, but she refused to listen to anyone. The situation escalated when Raju, Rakibul, and their accomplies assaulted Kawsar for trying to discipline Sumaiya.

He further added that instead of going to her husband, Sumaiya had gone to Raju. After that, she cut off all communication with everyone. He only learned this after her body was discovered.

Attempts were made to contact Raju and Rakibul. While Raju could not be reached, Rakibul was contacted by phone. When asked about Sumaiya, he immediately disconnected the call. Subsequent attempts found his phone switched off.

The Final Chapter in a Rented House.

Raju and Sumaiya rented a house at Shalukgari village, presenting themselves as a married couple. They lived there continuously for five months. Raju introduced himself to the landlord and locals as a driver. A young man would occasionally visit, whom Raju referred to as his nephew.

Sumaiya was last seen on the evening of June 23, standing on the balcony of the rented house. Later, a foul smell began emanating from her room. After calls to her went unanswered, locals broke a window and discovered her hanging body. Police were called and recovered the corpse.

The landlord's wife, Rahima Begum, confirmed that Raju and Sumaiya had rented the house as a married couple and lived there together.

She stated that on the night of June 23, Raju and the man he called his nephew left the house. At that time, Sumaiya was on the balcony for a while before going inside. She was not seen again after that. Her body was found on the morning of June 25. What transpired in the house during that time is unknown to them.

Suicide or Murder?

The state of Sumaiya's room door, her bed, and her physical condition were all shrouded in mystery. The main door was locked from the inside, but there was another room adjacent to it. The door to that room was locked from the outside, and it could be easily opened to exit to the main room. The pocket door of that room was also open, providing access to Sumaiya's room. This raises the question: could someone have locked the main door from the inside and left through the other room?

The balcony door had a padlock hanging from it, but the grille had gaps wide enough to reach through and lock it from the outside. Sumaiya's hands had bloody wounds. There were bloodstains on the chest of her clothing. Her petticoat was tied backwards. The inside of the room was also disorganized.

However, the inquest report (Surathal) made no mention of these wounds or bloodstains. Her brother Kawsar, who signed the report, stated that he did not know what he was signing.

The inquest report was prepared by Sub-Inspector Russel Ahmed of Shajahanpur Police Station.

He stated that the report contained only what was found at the scene. He further added that the autopsy report had classified the death as a suicide, a conclusion communicated to the family. He also noted that no formal complaint had been lodged by the family with the police station, and the autopsy was conducted based on a General Diary (GD) entry.

Sumaiya's family claims crucial information was omitted from the inquest report.

They allege police are calling it a suicide in exchange for money.

Her family members further stated that they tried multiple times to file a murder case with the police station, but the police refused to accept it. Now, police are claiming it was suicide.

Sumaiya's brother Kawsar and her uncle Dulal Hossain said they are preparing to file a murder case in court. They believe she was killed in a planned manner and demand justice for her murder.

A New Mystery

Some time after Sumaiya's death, an unknown person broke the lock of the room where she died and ransacked everything.

Who was it? Why did they come? What were they looking for, or what did they take? The answers to these questions remain unknown.

The landlord's wife, Rahim Begum, said they did not see who entered the room. About a week earlier, the lock was found broken. Upon entering, they found everything in disarray and scattered.

"Perhaps someone was looking for something or took something away," she said.

When contacted, Inspector Rashedul Islam, investigation officer of Shajahanpur Police Station, told Views Bangladesh that "Everything visible on the body must be included in the inquest report. If the victim's family claims the bloodstains were not mentioned, they can file a petition. There is still an opportunity to amend the inquest report. This incident will be investigated and reviewed again."

He further stated, "There is no opportunity for a police member to alter an autopsy report in exchange for money."