A retired Hindu schoolteacher and three members of his family were found dead inside their locked home in Bangladesh’s Rangpur, with police saying they were allegedly killed after confronting two men who had been consuming Yaba, an illicit methamphetamine-based drug, on the rooftop.
The victims were identified as 65-year-old Ganapati Chakraborty, a retired Rangpur Zilla School teacher; his wife Pritilata Chakraborty, 50; their daughter Agami Chakraborty Prarthi, 23; and their 12-year-old son Priyam Chakraborty.
Police have detained two cousins, Mughdho and Siddhartha, in connection with the killings. Investigators said the family had no known disputes or enmity with anyone.
SUSPECTS ALLEGEDLY CAUGHT ON ROOFTOP
According to police, the two suspects entered Ganapati's rooftop through a neighbouring building on Thursday night and allegedly consumed Yaba there.
Ganapati reportedly heard the noise and went upstairs to question them. Police said the suspects allegedly strangled him with the thin cotton towel, or gamchha, he was carrying because they feared he could identify them.
His wife reportedly came upstairs after hearing the commotion and was allegedly strangled on the staircase. Their daughter and son were also killed.
Investigators believe Priyam may have been targeted because he knew one of the suspects and could potentially identify them.
SUSPECTS ALLEGEDLY STAYED FOR HOURS
Police said the suspects did not immediately leave after the killings. Instead, they allegedly remained inside the house for another six to seven hours.
Investigators reportedly found evidence that they consumed dates and cucumbers from the family's refrigerator and later took a bath. Police also recovered other clues from the house that helped them identify the suspects.
A senior Rangpur police official said the suspects allegedly confessed during questioning after being detained. Their statements are being examined alongside other evidence collected during the investigation.
FAMILY FOUND INSIDE LOCKED HOUSE
The four bodies were recovered around 11:30 pm on Saturday from the family's locked home in Rangpur's Daspara, also known as Machhuapara.
Ganapati's body was found on the rooftop.
Pritilata and Agami were found on the staircase.
Priyam was found underneath a bed inside the house.
Relatives became concerned after all four family members' phones were switched off from Thursday night. They eventually went to the house on Saturday after being unable to contact them.
Ganapati had retired from Rangpur Zilla School on December 31 last year. His daughter had recently completed a master's degree in English, while Priyam was a Class 5 student at the same school where his father had taught.
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the killings and the suspects' alleged motive.
