A Cumilla court has ordered the collection of DNA samples from two additional suspects in connection with the Tonu murder case. Both are former members of the Bangladesh Army.
The suspects are Zahidul Islam, son of Solaiman Hossain of Meghai village in Sirajganj, and Faisal Ahmed Rabbi, son of MA Hannan of Rajapara Lakshminagar village in Cumilla.
Judge Mominul Huq of Cumilla Senior Judicial Magistrate Court‑1 passed the order on 17 July following an application by the investigation team.
Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) Inspector Md Tarikul Islam, the investigating officer of the case, confirmed the development on Tuesday, saying the application was submitted to further the investigation.
Earlier, DNA samples from primary suspects retired Sergeant Zahid, Warrant Officer Hafizur Rahman, and Soldier Shahinul Alam were collected and cross‑matched.
Hafizur, the only suspect in custody, is being held at Cumilla Central Jail.
Sohagi Jahan Tonu, a student of Cumilla Victoria Government College and a theatre activist, went missing on 20 March 2016 after going to a house inside Cumilla Cantonment for private tutoring. Her body was later found in a bush near the cantonment’s power house.
