Fatema murder mystery remains unsolved six years later as investigation stalls amid accusations of political interference
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Six years after 20-year-old Fatema Akter was found dead in her home in Raipur, Lakshmipur, the investigation into her murder remains stalled despite repeated official assurances. While the death was initially framed as a suicide, a post-mortem examination later confirmed that the victim had died from head trauma and strangulation, triggering a murder investigation that has seen eight different lead investigators since 2020.
The incident occurred on July 19, 2020, at the Bhuiyan Bari residence in Ludua village, located in the Keroa Union of Raipur Upazila. Fatema Akter, the daughter of the late Sirajul Islam, was found dead while home alone. Following the medical examiner’s findings, her sister, Saraban Tahura, filed a murder case in August 2020, naming Raihan, Raima Begum, Sharmin Akter, and Mohammad Yasin as suspects.
The case has been characterized by consistent administrative delays and shifting responsibilities. The Detective Branch (DB) of the police previously filed a final report seeking to close the case, claiming they could not find sufficient evidence or witnesses to proceed against the suspects. However, following a petition by the victim’s family, the court rejected the DB’s report in 2022 and ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to conduct a fresh probe.
Six years into the legal process, the CID has yet to submit an indictment to the court. The family alleges that political interference has hindered the investigation, leaving them in a cycle of repeated assurances without tangible results. Saraban Tahura expressed deep frustration, noting that every new investigator restarts the inquiry, often citing that the case is in its final stages only to be replaced shortly after.
The current lead investigator, CID Inspector Obaidul Islam, confirmed he has been handling the case for the past six months. He stated that investigators are currently working to identify credible leads, though he did not provide a specific timeline for when a charge sheet would be filed.
Meanwhile, the main suspect, Raihan, continues to maintain his innocence, labeling the accusations as a result of long-standing family feuds. The victim’s mother, Hasna Begum, remains in poor health, struggling to cope with the loss and the lack of judicial progress. Despite the passage of time and the lack of closure, the family continues to demand that the perpetrators be held accountable for the murder.
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