Bangladesh Hindu family murder: Suspects stayed back after killing, took Yaba; chilling details emerge

DHAKA: More shocking details have emerged in the murder of a four-member Hindu family in Bangladesh’s Rangpur city, with police saying the two suspects remained inside the house for several hours after the killings, took a bath, ate food from the refrigerator and consumed yaba before leaving.

The suspects allegedly took a bath inside the house after carrying out the killings. They later ate cucumber and dates kept in the refrigerator before consuming yaba tablets they had with them, according to police. Local media reported the details.

The victims were retired Rangpur Zilla School teacher Ganapati Chakraborty, 65, his wife Pritilata Chakraborty, 50, daughter Agami, 23, and son Priyam, 12. Their bodies were recovered from the house at around 11.30 pm on Saturday.

Police have arrested Mugdha Das and Siddhartha Das in connection with the killings. According to Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mabud, the two allegedly entered the rooftop of Ganapati’s house through an adjacent building on Thursday night to consume yaba. Ganapati reportedly confronted them after noticing them there, following which the suspects allegedly killed him. His wife and children were subsequently killed, police said.

Police said the suspects first strangled Ganapati with a towel he was carrying. When Pritilata came upstairs after hearing the commotion, she was also killed on the staircase. Their daughter was then killed after coming out to check what was happening. The suspects subsequently killed Priyam, who was sleeping downstairs, police said.

After the killings, the suspects allegedly stayed inside the house overnight. They opened cupboards and drawers, scattered belongings and changed clothes in an apparent attempt to make the incident look like a robbery. They also took gold ornaments from the house. Police said the stolen gold was later recovered.

The suspects allegedly soaked two mobile phones found in the house in detergent-mixed water to prevent the recovery of fingerprints. Police also said the suspects had tried to check the authenticity of a gold ornament by burning it.

The two suspects reportedly left the house on Friday when the streets were relatively empty during Jumma prayers. Police said the two had confessed to the killings during interrogation. The investigation is continuing.