Cumilla CNG driver arrested in rape, murder

Cumilla Detective Branch (DB) arrested a CNG auto-rickshaw driver, Md Sumon, who raped a seventh-grade student and strangled her to death.

Additional Superintendent of Police Pankaj Barua confirmed the matter during a press conference held at the Cumilla District Police Office on Saturday morning.

He said the girl named Jannatul Tajmin took an auto-rickshaw in front of Nurjahan Hotel in the Paduar Bazar Bishwa Road area of Cumilla city on Wednesday night. She intended to travel to her home in the city’s Racecourse area.

However, Sumon diverted from the route to the city and drove her to a paddy field in Jagatpur, Lalmai. Investigation revealed that when Tajmin attempted to flee, a scuffle broke out, prompting Sumon to wrap a gamcha around her neck and strangle her to death. He then abandoned the auto-rickshaw near the scene and fled.  

At 2:58 am while inside the auto-rickshaw, Tajmin sent her live location to her father’s WhatsApp number and pleaded with him to rescue her. Her father missed the message because he was asleep late at night.

Police recovered Tajmin’s body from the paddy field on Thursday morning. DB arrested Sumon on Friday from his brother’s residence in Chattogram. Police recovered Tajmin’s iPhone using information Sumon provided.  

After the murder, Tajmin’s father Abdul Alim filed a homicide case against unidentified suspects at Lalmai Police Station. Police said Tajmin went missing after leaving home on 4 October, saying she was going to a friend’s house.