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Police have arrested a suspect five days after the body of a 68-year-old woman was found in her apartment in Jatrabari, in what investigators believe was a murder motivated by theft.
The suspect, Faruk, 27, a construction worker, was arrested on Wednesday from the Mir Hajirbagh area of the capital. Police said evidence collected from the scene, along with digital investigation and data analysis, led to his identification.
According to Jatrabari Police Station, Faruk had been working in a neighbouring flat of the victim, Shahida Akter, which gave him familiarity with her household and daily routine.
On July 11, Shahida Akter was found murdered in her apartment in a multi-storey building near Rasulpur Nagar Bhaban in Donia. Gold ornaments, imitation jewellery, and other valuables were reported stolen from the residence.
Following the incident, the victim’s daughter, Parveen Akter, filed a murder case with Jatrabari Police Station.
Police said Faruk entered the flat when he found an opportunity and attacked the woman with a sharp pair of scissors, killing her before fleeing with valuables kept in a wardrobe.
Based on his initial confession, investigators recovered the scissors believed to have been used in the killing, along with stolen items including imitation bangles, necklaces, anklets, and foreign currency.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Niaz Mehdi, said the investigation is ongoing and legal action will be taken against the accused.
The incident has raised concerns over safety in residential buildings, particularly where temporary workers have access to private apartments.