Senior Water Development Board Engineer and Wife Remanded Over Death of Child Domestic Worker
Dhaka Metropolitan Police have arrested a senior Water Development Board official and his wife following the death of their nine-year-old domestic worker, who fell from the balcony of their high-rise residence in the capital’s Dhanmondi area.
Sabibur Rahman, 46, an additional chief engineer, and his wife, Farah Nusrat, 40, were taken into custody early Saturday morning. The arrests followed a formal complaint filed by the victim’s father, leading to the initiation of a murder case at the Dhanmondi Police Station.
According to police reports, the victim, Rikta Moni, had been employed at the couple's 11th-floor apartment due to her family’s financial hardship. Authorities allege the child was subjected to systemic physical and mental abuse during her time at the residence.
On Friday morning, the child fell from the apartment balcony and was rushed to Bangladesh Medical College Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. A medical examination revealed multiple signs of trauma on the victim's body, including a fractured left arm, which prompted the investigation into foul play.
Following their appearance in court on Saturday, Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Ismail granted a two-day remand for the suspects. Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq confirmed the court's order, allowing police to further interrogate the couple regarding the circumstances surrounding the child's death.
