The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has arrested a domestic help and her accomplice for the murder of her employer in Dhaka’s Uttara, who died after consuming water spiked with sedatives.
The arrestees have been identified as Bilkis Begum, the maid, and Rabiul Awal, a jewellery shop owner.
The arrests were confirmed by Additional DIG Enayet Hossain Mannan during a press conference held at the PBI Dhaka Metro North office on Sunday.
According to the PBI, Bilkis had been employed at the residence only two days prior to the incident.
As part of a premeditated plan, she mixed sedatives into the drinking water of her employer, Ayesha Akter, and her husband, Anwar Hossain. After the couple lost consciousness, Bilkis fled the house with gold ornaments and a sum of cash.
The couple was subsequently rushed to a hospital, where doctors pronounced Ayesha Akter dead. Her husband, Anwar Hossain, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in critical condition.
Following the incident, the victim’s son filed a case at Uttara West Police Station. PBI officials conducted raids across Mymensingh, Jamalpur, and Gazipur to apprehend the suspects.
Investigators analysed CCTV footage which showed Bilkis leaving the residence on Road 18, Sector 7, Uttara, around 3pm last Tuesday. She was seen carrying a polythene bag containing the stolen valuables.
The PBI further revealed that Bilkis is a habitual offender with at least five previous cases filed against her at various police stations in the capital. She reportedly uses the profession of domestic help as a front to commit thefts and has been found to operate under six different aliases.
