Man kills stepson in rage after wife divorces him for abuse: RAB

A man has been arrested for allegedly murdering his 14-year-old stepson in Dhaka’s Keraniganj area, reportedly in retaliation after his wife divorced him due to domestic abuse.

The suspect, Azharul Sardar, 36, was apprehended late Sunday night in Khulna by a team from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-10), with support from RAB-6, based on intelligence and a specific complaint. He was arrested from the Zero Point area under Horintana Police Station.

According to RAB-10 Commander Mohammad Kamruzzaman, Azharul confessed during initial interrogation that he strangled his stepson, Rakibul Sardar, with a towel at his rented house on the night of August 14. He said the act was driven by anger after his wife, Tofura Khatun, 34, divorced him several months ago through the court, citing abuse.

Tofura and Rakibul had been living in a rented home in the Nazirbagh area of Chunkutia, South Keraniganj. Rakibul worked at a local embroidery factory. Following the death of her first husband, Tofura had married Azharul two years ago, but the relationship quickly deteriorated due to domestic violence.

On the morning of August 14, Rakibul left for work but never returned. After failing to locate him, Tofura began searching and contacted Azharul, who initially claimed Rakibul was with him in Satkhira. He also took money from her via mobile banking service bKash, allegedly to facilitate Rakibul’s return.

However, on August 16, Tofura was informed by phone that her son's body had been found at Azharul’s residence. Police responded to an emergency call through 999 and, with the help of locals, recovered Rakibul’s body around 11:30 AM from Azharul's rented house in Chunkutia Paschimpara. The body was later sent to Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

Tofura filed a case with South Keraniganj Police Station on August 17 (Case No. 46), leading to a coordinated manhunt by RAB. Following his arrest, Azharul admitted to the murder and an attempt to conceal the body.