Police in Chilmari, Kurigram have successfully unraveled the mystery behind the murder of 2-year-old Ayesha Siddika. A couple has been arrested in connection with the incident, and one of the accused has reportedly given a confessional statement in court.
According to police sources, on the morning of April 17, Ayesha Siddika (2), daughter of Md. Alamgir Hossain of Machabanda Sahapara area under Chilmari Police Station, went missing while playing near her home. Later that night, around 9:30 PM, her body was recovered from an abandoned field nearby, triggering widespread shock and grief in the locality.
Following the incident, the victim’s father filed a murder case at Chilmari Police Station on April 18 against unknown suspects. The case was registered as No. 04(04)2026 under Sections 302/201/34 of the Penal Code.
Considering the gravity of the case, Kurigram Superintendent of Police Khondaker Fazle Rabbi, PPM, directed immediate investigation and arrest of the perpetrators. Under his supervision, Additional Superintendent of Police (Ulipur Circle) Md. Ashraful Alam, PPM, and Officer-in-Charge of Chilmari Model Police Station Nayan Kumar, along with a joint team of police and district intelligence branch (DB), launched an intensive investigation.
As a result of the investigation, police arrested Md. Rashidul Islam Apel (30) and his wife Mosammat Kohinur Begum (26) from their residence in Machabanda village at around 4:00 AM on Friday (May 1).
Police said that during initial interrogation and subsequent court confession, detailed accounts of the incident emerged. According to the accused, the victim was playing with their child near their home when their child accidentally injured Ayesha’s eye with a pen, causing bleeding. In an attempt to conceal the incident, Kohinur Begum allegedly covered the child’s mouth, which resulted in suffocation and death.
The body was later concealed in a drum and dumped in a nearby field at night, according to their statement.
Officer-in-Charge Nayan Kumar said the investigation began immediately after the incident and the accused initially admitted their involvement in the crime. One of the accused later provided a confessional statement under Section 164 in court.
Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Ashraful Alam stated that under the directives of the Superintendent of Police, the case was swiftly solved and the suspects were arrested. He added that the investigation is ongoing to determine whether anyone else was involved.
Meanwhile, the tragic death of little Ayesha Siddika has cast a shadow of grief over the entire area. Locals have demanded a transparent and swift investigation to ensure justice for the victim.