Muntaha murder: Accused Kutubjan, grandmother of main accused, dies amid ongoing investigation
Kutubjan, 81, was also the grandmother of Muntaha’s former private tutor Marzia Akter, who is the main accused in the case
Kutubjan Bibi, an accused in the murder case filed over the death of six-year-old Muntaha in Sylhet's Kanaighat, has passed away today (14 November) amid the ongoing investigation of the case.
Kutubjan, 81, was also the grandmother of Muntaha's former private tutor Marzia Akter, who is the main accused in the case. She passed away in Nij Chaura village under Kanaighat in Shylet, confirmed UP member Selim Ahmed.
Following the recovery of Muntaha's body on Sunday (10 November), Kutubjan Bibi was also taken into custody by the police. However, she was released after questioning the next day.
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Selim Ahmed said, "The police handed over Kutubjan to me on Monday. But since then she was unable to move around, we arranged for her to be cared for by her brother at her father's house. She passed away there on Thursday morning."
Four individuals arrested in connection with the Munta murder case are currently on remand and are being interrogated at the police station, according to Investigating Officer SI Shamsul Arefin Jihad Bhuiya.
He said once the five-day remand is over, the suspects will be presented in court. They have already provided some information, but details cannot be disclosed in the interest of the investigation.
Those in remand include Munta's former tutor Marzia Akter Sumi, 25, her mother Alifjan Begum 55, and their neighbours Islam Uddin,40 and Nazma Begum,35.
Among them, Marzia Akter was first detained by the police on Saturday night (9 November) on suspicion.
Earlier on Sunday (10 November), locals detained Marzia's mother Alifjan Begum while she was moving Munta's body.
Police later arrested Alifjan and then detained neighbours Islam Uddin and Nazma Begum.
Kanaighat Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Abdul Awal said considering her age and physical condition, and finding no evidence linking her to Muntahs's murder, Kutubjan was released to the custody of a UP member. "I have heard that she has passed away today," he said.
Muntaha's body was recovered Sunday morning from a pond beside her house. According to the police, based on local sources, Alifjan was seen relocating Munta's body, which had been buried in a dry canal, but attempted to flee when locals noticed her. The enraged locals managed to detain her and recover Munta's body, setting fire to Marzia's house in the process.
Muntaha from Kanaighat Upazila had been missing since noon on 3 November. She was the daughter of Shamim Ahmed from Bhararifoud village. Her disappearance caused an outcry on social media, with people both in Bangladesh and abroad offering rewards for information.
