Photo : collected

KHULNA, May 31, 2026 (BSS) – A case has been filed in connection with the killing of a woman and her two grandsons in Khulna city, while police have intensified efforts to arrest the prime suspect, believed to be the stepfather of the two children.

The case was lodged with Sonadanga Police Station on Saturday night by Masum Bepari, the biological father of the slain children. However, no arrests had been made as of Sunday afternoon.

Police identified the deceased as Baby Begum, 62, her grandsons Shamim, 13, and Mustakim, 4. 

Their bodies were recovered from a rented house in the Darul Aman Mosque Road area under Sonadanga Police Station on Saturday evening.

According to investigators, truck driver Rafik Howlader, the second husband of the children's mother Mary Begum, is the prime suspect in the murders. Police believe the killings may have been motivated by long-standing family disputes.

"Preliminary investigation suggests that Rafik might have committed the murders out of resentment stemming from frequent conflicts with his mother-in-law and stepson," said Sonadanga Police Station Investigation Officer Animesh Mondal.

Police launched overnight drives in Maheshwarpasha and Maniktala areas under Daulatpur Police Station to arrest Rafik but he remained absconding.

Investigators said Mary Begum married Rafik after separating from her first husband, Masum Bepari. Since the marriage, her mother Baby Begum and elder son Shamim reportedly opposed the relationship, leading to recurring family tensions.

Police said an altercation took place between family members around 12.30 am on Eid day, during which Baby Begum allegedly asked Rafik to leave the house.

According to Mary's statement to police, she woke up the following morning and found her room locked from the outside. After repeated attempts to open the door, Rafik allegedly unlocked it and told her that her mother had left the house with the two children and would no longer stay there.

Investigators believe Rafik fabricated the story to conceal the crime.

As the day progressed, Mary searched for her missing mother and children but did not inform police. Later, when a foul smell began emanating from a locked room, Rafik reportedly told family members that a dead rat was the source of the odor.

Police said Rafik fled the scene when efforts were made to open the locked room. Local residents later broke open the lock and discovered the bodies of Baby Begum and Shamim. Following a call to the national emergency service 999, police rushed to the scene.

Subsequently, a team from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) recovered Mustakim's body from a wardrobe inside the house.

The investigation officer said police suspect Rafik entered the house using a key to the main gate and carried out the killings between 12.30 am and 2.30 am while the victims were asleep.

Police are also investigating whether anyone else assisted in the crime.

Mary Begum was taken to the police station for questioning following the recovery of the bodies and was later released into the custody of her family members.

The bodies were handed over to relatives after autopsies were conducted today.

Police said Rafik, a truck driver by profession, has a previous theft case against him. The investigation is ongoing.