PBI Cracks ‘Clueless’ Uttara Murder Case Using Tech and Database Analysis
The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has solved a previously “clueless” murder and gold theft case in the Uttara West police station area of the capital by analysing technology and past case databases. Within four days of the incident, investigators arrested the prime accused, domestic worker Bilkis Begum (40), and jeweller Rabiul Awal (53), who allegedly purchased the stolen gold.
The arrests were disclosed on Sunday, February 22, at a press conference titled “Unveiling the Mystery of Ayesha’s Murder by a Domestic Worker in Uttara”, held at the PBI Dhaka Metro North office in West Agargaon. Addressing journalists, Additional DIG of PBI Dhaka Metro North Md Enayet Hossain Mannan said that Bilkis Begum sold the stolen gold ornaments to Rabiul Awal, a businessman from Sherpur district currently operating in Gazipur. During interrogation, Bilkis reportedly confessed to selling the stolen items to him.
Police recovered Tk 6,300 in cash, empty strips of sedative tablets allegedly used in the crime, and a small bag from the accused.
Incident Details
According to the PBI official, on February 14, an unidentified woman joined the household as a domestic worker for a monthly salary of Tk 5,000. She introduced herself as “Momtaz” to the caretaker and “Marufa” to the family members, promising to provide her National ID card and address later.
On the morning of February 17, the homeowner’s wife and children left for a trip, leaving behind elderly couple Ayesha Akter (62) and Anwar Hossain (68) at home. In the evening, their elder son, Md Zakaria Hossain, became concerned after hearing his father speak incoherently over the phone. Upon arriving at the house, he found his mother lying unconscious on the bed and his father in a distressed condition. They were rushed to Lubana General Hospital, where doctors declared Ayesha Akter dead. Anwar Hossain remains under treatment in the ICU.
Family members later discovered the house ransacked and the domestic worker missing. Approximately 5 vori 10 Anna (65.61 Grams) of gold ornaments from one room, an additional 6 vori (70 Gramms) of gold from another room, and Tk 100,000 in cash from an almirah were reported stolen. CCTV footage from a neighbouring house showed the woman entering the residence at 8:56am on February 17 and leaving around 2:30pm carrying a polythene bag.
Investigation and Arrest
PBI said the elderly couple had been given sedatives mixed with water, rendering them unconscious. Preliminary findings suggest that Ayesha Akter died due to an excessive dose of the medication. Following the incident, her son filed a case (Case No. 27) with Uttara West Police Station.
Enayet Hossain Mannan stated that the accused had joined the household under a false identity just two days before the crime. She had provided no valid phone number or address, making the case entirely clue-less at the outset.
Investigators relied on modern technology and analysis of previous criminal databases. By matching photographs from earlier cases filed at multiple police stations, they were able to identify her. Her daughter-in-law later confirmed her identity from the photographs, leading to the revelation of her real name—Bilkis Begum.
According to PBI, Bilkis had previously posed as a domestic worker under various aliases in different areas of Dhaka and committed thefts by administering sedatives. Cases are pending against her at police stations including Khilkhet, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Bhatara, Uttara West and Hatirjheel.
Multiple PBI teams conducted operations in Mymensingh and Jamalpur before arresting her from the Outpara area of Gazipur Chourasta. She later gave a confessional statement under Section 164 before a court.
When asked how the victim was poisoned, the Additional DIG said Bilkis mixed 10 sedative tablets in water and gave it to the elderly couple. While similar incidents had reportedly occurred in the past, none had previously resulted in death.
DBTech/ZN/EK/OR
