Police detained a man in connection with the killing of an elderly couple and their 15-year-old domestic help at a house in Sylhet city.
The detainee, Babul Mia, was picked up around 3pm on Wednesday, several hours after the bodies were found at House No 111 in the Mitali Residential Area of Raynagar.
Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sarwar Murshid Shamim said Babul was allegedly in a relationship with the domestic help, Tahmina Akter, and confessed to the killings during initial questioning.
According to the commissioner, Babul used to visit the house occasionally as he worked as a painter.
He entered the house around 9am on Wednesday, after which Tahmina allegedly locked the door from inside.
Police said Babul and Tahmina went into a room, where an argument broke out. At one point, Babul allegedly stabbed Tahmina with a knife.
When the homeowner’s wife, Raiya Begum, came to Tahmina’s rescue, she was also stabbed, police said.
Babul then allegedly attacked owner of the house Abdus Sattar with the same knife before fleeing through a balcony.
The deceased were identified as Abdus Sattar, 82, his wife Raiya Begum, 72, and Tahmina Akter, 15. Tahmina was the daughter of Aptab Mia of Jallarpar in Sylhet city.
Abdus Sattar, a businessman, was reportedly one of the first residents of the Mitali Residential Area. His son and three daughters live in the UK and the US.
Police and local residents said neighbours heard women screaming from inside the house around 9am.
They later noticed blood on the second-floor balcony and informed police around 10am.
Police arrived at the scene, collected evidence and prepared inquest reports.
The bodies were recovered around 4pm and sent to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for autopsies.
SMP Commissioner Sarwar Murshid Shamim visited the scene in the afternoon.
Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Qayum Chowdhury, Sylhet Development Authority Chairman Rezaul Hasan Kays Lodhi, Sylhet Metropolitan BNP General Secretary Imdad Hossain Chowdhury also visited the scene.
Police said the investigation is underway to establish the motive and determine the full circumstances surrounding the killings.
