Schoolgirl Killing: Accused found dead, hanging from ceiling

The lone accused of schoolgirl Munni murder case allegedly committed suicide at a relative's house in the district's Kaliakoir yesterday, a day after the girl was found dead at her house.  

The deceased was Arafat Sarkar, 20, of Chapair village in the same upazila. 

His family members said Arafat was found hanging from the ceiling at his aunt's house in Ratanpur village.

Rafiqul Islam, inspector (investigation) of Kaliakoir Police Station, said they recovered the body and sent it to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

He said Arafat might have taken his life sometime on Tuesday night. 

Police said Arafat stood accused in the case filed in connection with killing Munni Akter, 14, daughter of Shaheed Miah of Kutubdia village of Kaliakoir upazila. 

Family members said they found Munni's body in her bed with scarf around her neck on Tuesday morning.

Her father then filed a murder case against Arafat with Kaliakoir police.

Munni's mother Rekha Akter claimed that she saw Arafat near their house early Tuesday.

She alleged that Arafat killed her daughter as she did not accept his proposal to develop an affair. 

Munni's family alleged that Arafat used to harass her on her way to the school. An eighth-grader at Chapair High School, she was supposed to sit for Junior School Certificate (JSC) exam this year.

Her brother Ripon said they informed Arafat's family about the matter, but his family did not pay heed to this.

Moreover, Arafat threatened Munni and her father Shaheed with life for the allegation, Ripon alleged.

Arafat's mother Masuma Akter said her son went to his aunt's house after he heard that a case was filed against him.

She also added that Arafat developed an affair with Munni.

MAIN ACCUSED HELD

Our Jhenidah correspondent adds: police yesterday arrested the prime accused in a case filed for stabbing a schoolgirl at Upashaharpara in Jhenidah town as she rejected his proposal to have an affair.

Arrestee Litu Hossain, 22, was hit by a bullet during a drive as police had to open fire when he hurled two handmade bombs at police, said Ajbahar Ali Sheikh, additional superintendent of police in Jhenidah.  

On information that Litu had taken shelter at an abandoned building at Nirisingho village in Jhenidah Sadar upazila, a team of police cordoned off the area around 3:00am, the police official said.

Police managed to arrest Litu with bullet injuries, he added.

Victim's mother said the youth had been stalking her daughter, Puja Biswas, for long.

As the girl rejected his proposal, Litu stabbed her in the face and right hand indiscriminately, the mother added.

Puja is now undergoing treatment at Jhenidah Sadar Hospital.

The victim's father filed a case, accusing five people, including Litu.

With Litu, police have arrested three of them.