Police have arrested two individuals on charges of abetment to suicide following the death of a 28-year-old woman, Nisha Rani, who set herself on fire by pouring kerosene on her body at Miranjilla Harijan Colony under Bangshal Police Station in the capital.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Minakshi Rani (30) and Biki Babu alias Shri Biki Hela.
Details regarding the case were disclosed by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Joint Police Commissioner (Crime) Md Faruq Hossain at a press conference held at the DMP Media Cell on Monday afternoon, following an earlier press release issued by the DMP.
Citing local sources, police stated that Nisha Rani and Minakshi Rani were in a same-sex romantic relationship, while Minakshi was simultaneously involved in a romantic relationship with Biki Babu.
According to police disclosures, Nisha went with her friend Minakshi to offer prayers at Dhakeshwari Temple on the morning of 2 October, where they met Biki Babu.
After having breakfast together, the trio visited Ramna Kali Temple.
At the temple, Nisha became mentally distressed upon witnessing intimate behaviour between Minakshi and Biki Babu.
Distraught, she attempted to hit her head inside a nearby bathroom and later tried to injure herself below her neck with her fingernails at a restaurant.
Both Nisha and Minakshi subsequently returned to their respective homes.
Later that afternoon, after Minakshi’s husband left for his workplace in Cumilla, Biki Babu visited Minakshi’s residence at around 6:45pm.
Upon learning of his visit, Nisha also arrived at the house.
A conflict broke out between them centered around physical intimacy between Minakshi and Biki.
Police alleged that Biki Babu and Minakshi subjected Nisha to severe mental torture by verbally abusing and insulting her for interfering in their relationship.
Overwhelmed by mental distress, Nisha poured kerosene over her body and set herself alight in front of them at around 3am late on 2 October inside Minakshi’s residence in City Colony, Bangshal.
Locals rescued her with severe burns and admitted her to the Burn Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where she died at 1:25am on 4 October while undergoing treatment.
Following a complaint filed by the deceased’s family, Bangshal Police Station registered a case.
Using intelligence, CCTV footage, and technology, police identified the suspects and arrested Minakshi Rani around 6:30am on Monday from Bangshal, and Biki Babu at around 3:30am the same day from Nabil Highway Hotel in Sirajganj.
Both arrested individuals have been sent to court.
