Tonu Murder Case: PBI finds DNA evidence of another man

The investigation into the murder of Cumilla Victoria Government College student Sohagi Jahan Tonu has taken a significant new turn, as the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) confirmed the presence of blood belonging to another unidentified male in DNA samples collected from the victim’s clothing.

The latest finding adds a new dimension to the high-profile case that has remained unresolved since 2016.

Earlier, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had reported finding sperm samples from three different men during forensic examinations.

Confirming the development late Sunday night, PBI Dhaka office inspector and investigating officer Tarikul Islam said the DNA laboratory recently informed investigators about the presence of blood from an additional unidentified male.

“We previously had information about sperm samples from three men. Now the DNA lab has identified blood from another male, which does not match any of the previously detected DNA profiles,” he said.

According to PBI sources, the new forensic evidence has strengthened the investigation and prompted authorities to expand DNA cross-matching efforts involving additional suspects.

Investigators said the case is being closely monitored at the highest levels of the government.

Earlier, on April 6, PBI sought court approval to collect and cross-match DNA samples from three suspects — retired army sergeant Zahid, warrant officer Hafizur Rahman and soldier Shahinul Alam.

Following the court order, Hafizur Rahman was detained from his Keraniganj residence on April 21 and later shown arrested in the Tonu murder case. His DNA samples were subsequently collected in Dhaka before he was produced before a Cumilla court, which granted a three-day remand.

A source linked to the investigation said the discovery of another male DNA profile has opened up new investigative possibilities. However, investigators are still struggling to trace several individuals on their suspicion list, as many could not be located at their permanent addresses.

According to CID forensic reports prepared by DNA examiner Nusrat Yasmin, a total of 24 pieces of evidence were sent for examination in the Tonu murder case. Multiple samples contained complete DNA profiles of three different men. Another blood-stained cloth sample later revealed a separate full DNA profile from an unidentified individual, which did not match the previously recovered samples.

Sohagi Jahan Tonu, a history student at Cumilla Victoria Government College, went missing on the evening of March 20, 2016, after leaving home for a private tutoring session inside Cumilla Cantonment. Her body was later recovered from a nearby jungle close to the cantonment power house. The following day, her father Yar Hossain filed a murder case with Cumilla Kotwali Model Police Station against unidentified persons.

The brutal killing sparked nationwide outrage and demands for justice, but nearly a decade later, the case still remains unresolved.