Too early to draw any conclusions

Newly appointed Rangpur Metropolitan Police (RpMP) Commissioner Mahbubur Rashid on Friday said it was too early to comment on the motive or circumstances surrounding the murders of four members of a family in the city, a day after taking charge.

“This is a sensational case, and various things are being discussed about it across the country. It would be premature to say anything about the case at this stage. Basically, I have come to the scene to understand the case,” he said after visiting Daspara (Machhuapara).

Responding to reports that the crime scene had been washed with water, potentially compromising crucial evidence, Mahbubur said he was aware of the allegation but had found no definite evidence to confirm it.

“There is no apparent reason for anyone to wash away evidence. Whatever evidence was recovered from the scene has been secured and is in our custody. However, I will personally look into the allegation,” he said.

He said his visit was mainly to assess the scene and familiarise himself with the case, as he had assumed office only the previous day. Asked whether evidence had been sent to the CID forensic laboratory, Mahbubur said he could not provide a definite answer.

“I have just joined. I do not yet have detailed information on whether the evidence has been sent to the CID forensic laboratory. I will check and find out,” he said.

Police recovered the bodies of former Rangpur Zilla School teacher Ganapati Chakrabarty, 65, his wife Pritilata Chakrabarty, 50, daughter Agami Chakrabarty, 25, and son Priyam Chakrabarty, 12, from different parts of their home, including the rooftop, around 11:00pm on 22 August.

Police said the four had been strangled to death on the morning of 21 August. 

Two youths, Siddhartha Das, 19, and Mugdha Das, 23, were arrested early Sunday. Police said both later made confessional statements before a court under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The investigation has drawn considerable public attention amid questions over its handling, particularly after former RpMP Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mabud gave conflicting accounts during several press briefings.