A fresh breakthrough has emerged in the long-running investigation into the murder of Cumilla Victoria College student Sohagi Jahan Tanu, as DNA analysis of her clothes has revealed the presence of another person’s blood, nearly nine years after the incident.
According to investigators, the latest laboratory findings were confirmed about a month ago, though the information became public on Sunday night (May 17).
Investigation Update
Investigation officer PBI Inspector Md. Tarekul Islam stated:
“A few months ago, I wrote to the CID requesting information regarding the samples found on Tanu’s clothes. A month ago, I was informed that along with the semen of three individuals, blood from another person was also detected on her clothing.”
He further added that this marks a significant development nearly a decade after the earlier forensic findings in the case.
Earlier Forensic Findings
In May 2017, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had reported finding semen samples from three men on Tanu’s clothing. However, at that time, no match with any suspect was established.
Recent Legal Developments
The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) recently sought court permission on April 6 to cross-match DNA samples of three suspects:
- Retired Army Sergeant Jahid
- Warrant Officer Hafizur Rahman
- Soldier Shahinul Alam
Following court approval, Hafizur Rahman was detained on April 21 from his residence in Keraniganj. He was later arrested in connection with the case, and his DNA sample was collected the following day in Dhaka before he was produced in court in Cumilla. The court subsequently granted a three-day remand.
Case Background
Tanu went missing on the evening of March 20, 2016, after going to tutor a student inside the Cumilla Cantonment area. Her body was later found in a forest near the Power House area inside the cantonment.
A murder case was filed the next day by her father, Yar Hossain, against unidentified suspects at Cumilla Kotwali Police Station.
The case has since been investigated by multiple agencies, including local police, the Detective Branch (DB), CID, and later the PBI, with little progress over the years.
In October 2020, the case file was officially transferred to the PBI Headquarters in Dhaka for further investigation. Since then, multiple investigating officers have handled the case, with the current officer taking charge in September 2024.
