Police say an Arabic tutor was killed in Sylhet following what they described as an “illicit relationship” involving a woman and her daughter. Two people, including a woman, have been arrested in connection with the murder.
The victim, Shoebur Rahman Shihab, 30, was found dead in Umairgaon area of Hatkhola union under Jalalabad police station. Those arrested are Abdul Matin, 45, and Khaleda Begum, 32. Shihab had been working as a private Arabic tutor for Khaleda Begum’s children while staying at her residence.
According to a press release from Sylhet Metropolitan Police, the two were arrested on Friday from Sonarpara area under Shahporan police station. Police said both later gave confessional statements in court on Saturday.
The case came to light after an unidentified body was recovered on Thursday afternoon from bushes near Kurail Haor on the northern bank of the Badeshwar River. The identity of the deceased was later confirmed through photographs circulated on social media. Shihab’s elder brother subsequently filed a murder case with Jalalabad police station.
Citing the confessions, police said Shihab had been working at Khaleda Begum’s house as an Arabic tutor since 2023. As her husband lives abroad, Shihab gradually took on additional responsibilities at the household. At one stage, an illicit relationship developed between them.
Police further said Shihab had promised to marry Khaleda Begum and was involved in plans to jointly purchase a plot of land with her husband in the Shibganj area, for which Tk 20 lakh was paid as advance. Investigators allege that Shihab later took around Tk 60 lakh from Khaleda Begum at different times, including proceeds from selling gold ornaments worth about Tk 7 lakh, by luring her with promises of taking her to Portugal and London.
When those plans failed, police said, a staged attempt was made to show that Khaleda Begum and her children were travelling to London. Shihab later moved into a newly rented house in Sylhet. As pressure mounted over going abroad, Shihab allegedly subjected Khaleda Begum and her family to physical and mental abuse and also established an illicit relationship with her daughter.
Police said the killing was carried out as per a pre-planned move near the Badeshwar River in Kurail Haor.
Confirming the matter, Sylhet Metropolitan Police Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Mohammad Saiful Islam said the two arrested accused and a minor involved in the incident have been produced before the court and gave confessional statements under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code.