Girlfriend’s ‘killing mission’ on eid evening

A trip led to an acquaintance, which later turned into a romantic relationship. The relationship left behind some private photos and videos. Then came the breakup, a new marriage arrangement, allegations of blackmail, and a planned murder followed by an attempt to destroy evidence by dumping the body in a river. The girlfriend and her fiancé took part in the four-hour killing mission.

The horrific details of the murder of young man Kazi Ismail Hossain (Imon) in Shibchar, Madaripur, nearly four years ago, which had been buried during the police station’s investigation, have now emerged through a reinvestigation by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI).

According to the PBI, college student Laboni Akter and her fiancé, Kamruzzaman, planned and carried out the murder of Imon out of fear that private photos and videos might be leaked. Before the killing, they allegedly mixed sleeping pills into an energy drink and gave it to him. He was later taken to the bank of the dead channel of the Arial Khan River, where his throat was slit and his body was thrown into the water. In an attempt to destroy evidence, his mobile phone, watch, wallet, shoes, shirt and the knife used in the murder were also thrown into the river.

Sources involved in the investigation said police recovered Imon’s body from the water on the northern bank of the dead channel of the Arial Khan River in Khaschar Bachamara village under Sannyasirchar Union in Shibchar on the evening of May 15, 2021. The following day, his family filed a case with Shibchar Police Station. Although the police initially investigated the murder case and submitted a charge sheet, the real incident remained concealed. A charge sheet was filed excluding those involved in the killing. Later, after the plaintiff filed a no-confidence petition, the court ordered the case to be handed over to the PBI. The reinvestigation uncovered the entire incident.

From Acquaintance to Love

After completing her Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations, Laboni Akter went to visit her maternal grandparents’ home in Sholpur village under Shirail Union. There, she met Kazi Ismail Hossain Imon, the paternal cousin-in-law of her maternal cousin Sumi. At the time, Imon was pursuing a master’s degree at a college in Dhaka. Their acquaintance eventually developed into a romantic relationship. They later became physically involved as well.

During that period, Imon secretly took some photos and videos of Laboni on his mobile phone. Less than a year into the relationship, tensions arose and the relationship broke down. Later, Laboni’s marriage was arranged with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) member Kamruzzaman. At that point, Imon tried to rekindle the relationship. When she refused, he allegedly threatened to spread Laboni’s private photos and videos on social media.

How the Murder Was Planned

Laboni informed her fiancé, Kamruzzaman, also known as Kamrul, about Imon’s threats. They then quietly devised a plan to remove Imon from the world. According to the PBI investigation, on the afternoon of May 14, 2021, Eid day, Laboni called Imon and asked to meet him. After Asr prayers in the afternoon, she went to the Suryanagar area of Shibchar. There, she met her fiancé Kamruzzaman (Kamrul), Kamrul’s maternal cousin Tobarak Foraji, also known as Mehedi, and Sanzida.

After arriving in Suryanagar, Kamrul introduced Sanzida to Laboni as his maternal cousin. Later, Laboni and Sanzida left on a van. On the way, Sanzida handed Laboni a bottle of energy drink and a fruit knife. According to the investigation, the drink had been mixed with sleeping pills, and the knife had been collected in advance. Laboni asked what these items would be used for. In response, Sanzida said, “The drink has to be given to Imon, and the knife has to be kept in the bag.”

How the Murder Took Place

At around 3:30 pm, Imon joined them. Later, Laboni, Sanzida, Imon and Imon’s uncle, Jamal Hossain Matubbar, went together to the field of Elias Ahmed Chowdhury College. They spent some time talking there. After Imon’s uncle left, Laboni gave Imon the drink provided by Sanzida. They then sat behind the college and discussed various matters related to their former relationship. At one point, Laboni asked Imon where their private photos and videos were. Imon replied that he did not have them. Laboni also checked his mobile phone but found nothing.

Afterward, Laboni, Sanzida and Imon traveled by auto-rickshaw to the old ferry terminal. Imon sat in the back seat of the auto-rickshaw, with Laboni and Sanzida on either side of him. Kamruzzaman and Mehedi sat beside the driver in the front. They got off near the ferry terminal and gradually walked toward a secluded spot on the riverbank. Saying that he was feeling unwell, Imon sat down on the grass.

According to the investigation, Laboni and Imon then discussed deleting the private photos. Sometime later, Kamruzzaman arrived at the spot. During the conversation, the situation became tense. As evening turned into night on the bank of the dead channel of the Arial Khan River, nearly two hours of arguments, disputes, pleas and requests followed. At around 8:30 pm, Laboni first stabbed Imon in the throat with a knife. Kamruzzaman then took the knife and inflicted more injuries. After Imon became motionless, they pushed him into the river. They then tried to erase all traces of the crime. Imon’s shirt, mobile phone, watch, wallet, shoes and the knife used in the murder were thrown into the river. The following afternoon, on May 15, police recovered Imon’s body from the dead channel of the Arial Khan River.

How the Mystery Was Uncovered

During the investigation, the PBI reconstructed the entire sequence of events, including the movements of the accused before and after the murder, across an area spanning nearly two kilometers. The investigating officer said that the planning and execution of the murder had been confirmed based on the crime scene, witness testimony, evidence and confessional statements.

SI Md. Firoz Ahmed, the investigating officer in the case, said that with the court’s permission, the accused, including Laboni Akter, who were out on bail, were strategically questioned in the office of the Court Police Inspector. The PBI began its investigation based on some of Laboni’s statements. At one stage of the investigation, the mystery behind the murder was uncovered. Later, Laboni also gave a confessional statement under Section 164 before the court.