Body recovered from Padma River believed to be murder suspect Forkan

Police on Saturday recovered a body from the Padma River that is believed to be murder suspect Forkan Molla, who allegedly killed his wife, three daughters and brother-in-law in Gazipur’s Kapasia before fleeing.

The body was recovered around 4pm from the Padma River in Louhajang upazila of Munshiganj.

According to police, the deceased was wearing a white shirt and black trousers.

Mawa Naval Police Sub-Inspector Md Jahangir said locals spotted a body floating in the river under Louhajang police station area and informed police.

Police later recovered the partially decomposed body. Forkan’s brother, Abdul Jabbar, initially identified the body based on the clothes, police said.

However, authorities said the identity would be confirmed only after a DNA test.

Police said Forkan allegedly killed his wife, three daughters and brother-in-law at a rented house in Rautkona area of Kapasia upazila on the night of 8 May before fleeing.

Investigators said he first mixed sedatives with food and fed the victims. After they fell asleep, he allegedly hacked them to death with a sharp machete during the night.

After fleeing, Forkan reportedly informed relatives about the killings over the phone.

Forkan, son of Atiar Rahman Molla of Mary Gopinathpur area under Gopalganj sadar upazila, worked as a private car driver.

The victims were identified as his wife Sharmin Khanam, 35, daughters Mim, 14, Umme Habiba Maria, 8, and Faria, 2, and brother-in-law Rasul Mia, 18.