A sense of terror has gripped the residents of Savar after a suspected serial killer was apprehended following the discovery of six bodies in and around a derelict building over the past seven months. The suspect, identified as Mashiur Rahman Khan Samrat (also known as Samrat), was detained by police on Sunday after CCTV footage and mobile recordings linked him to the gruesome crimes.
The investigation reached a turning point on Sunday, January 18, when two charred bodies—identified by locals as a woman named Sonia and a child—were recovered from the abandoned Savar Municipal Community Center. The building, located just 100 yards from the Savar Model Thana, has turned into a “killing zone,” according to local residents.
A Trail of Blood
According to police and local sources, the series of murders began approximately seven months ago. The timeline of body recoveries from the same abandoned location includes:
- August 29, 2025: An unidentified young man found with his hands and feet tied.
- October 11, 2025: An unidentified woman’s semi-nude body recovered.
- December 19, 2025: A male body found inside a toilet on the second floor.
- January 18, 2026: Two bodies found in a completely charred state.
How the ‘Psycho Killer’ was Caught
Police managed to identify Samrat by analyzing CCTV footage and a video captured by a local journalist, Sohail Rana. The video, filmed just two days before the latest discovery, showed Samrat with a woman named Sonia at the abandoned building. Sonia’s burnt remains were among those found on Sunday.
Arman Ali, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Savar Model Thana, described the suspect as a “psychopathic serial killer.”
“Samrat posed as a vagabond and frequently loitered near the police station to avoid suspicion. During primary interrogation, he confessed to killing at least six people. His targets were mostly helpless, homeless individuals,” said OC Arman Ali.
Public Outcry and Panic
The fact that these murders occurred so close to a police station, an army camp, and a government college has sparked intense fear and criticism regarding local security. Residents reported seeing Samrat daily, often mumbling to himself, never suspecting he was responsible for such horrific violence.
Mizunur Rahman, Superintendent of Police (SP) for Dhaka District, stated that the suspect would be produced in court on Monday to record his statement under Section 164. “We are investigating the motive behind these killings and checking if anyone else was involved in this heinous cycle of violence,” the SP added.
The authorities have called for DNA testing to identify the victims, as many of the bodies were burned beyond recognition.
