ASI Soumen confesses to triple murder in Kushtia court, sent to jail

ASI Shoumen Roy

The accused in the Kushtia triple murder, Assistant Sub-inspector (ASI) Soumen Kumar Roy, has confessed in the court today. He confessed under Section 164 in the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Rezaul Karim. Later, the court sent him to jail, reports our Kushtia correspondent, quoting the investigating officer of the case.

Investigating officer and Kushtia Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Nishikant Saha, told The Daily Star that Soumen said he did it out of anger but it was "an unforgivable crime to kill a 7-year-old".

Kushtia Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Farhad Hossain Khan said, Soumen was produced in court in connection with the shooting of three people yesterday. Two murder cases have already been filed against him, he said.

In court, Soumen claimed to be the husband of victim Asma. He married her two years ago and he would present the evidence in court when needed, he said. Soumen said that he wanted to take Asma to Khulna, but she refused to go with him.

Soumen suspected that Asma was in a relationship with Shakil Khan, another victim. He continuously inquired about Asma's relationship with Shakil on the day of the incident. He pulled out a handgun and fired when Asma remained silent on the subject.

He also told the court that he left his workplace without permission. He also admitted that he brought service pistol and bullets.

Shakil's father Mejbar Rahman and Asma's mother Hasina Khatun filed two cases separately against Soumen at Kushtia Model Police Station last night.

Khulna District Superintendent of Police Mahbub Hasan said, departmental action would be taken against Soumen. He went to Kushtia yesterday morning without taking leave from Fultola Police Station.

A separate investigation committee has been formed under the direction of the DIG of Khulna Range for leaving workplace without permission and carrying firearms, Mahbub said.

Earlier yesterday, Soumen opened fire in the city's Customs Junction area killing Asma Khatun, her seven-year-old son Robin, and Shakil Hossain. Locals caught the ASI and handed him over to the police.