Police say schoolgirl murdered in Rayerbazar knew her killer

Police have said the 14-year-old schoolgirl stabbed to death in Dhaka’s Rayerbazar on Wednesday night was called out of her home over a phone call by the suspect.

Citing CCTV footage from the scene, police said the victim Shahriar Sharmin Binti was seen walking and talking with the suspect Siam, identified with a single name, shortly before the attack.

Siam, the sole suspect in the murder case, was arrested on Thursday morning from a house in Kalabagan.

Police also recovered the knife used in the murder, along with blood-stained clothes worn by the suspect.

At a press briefing on Thursday afternoon, Masud Alam, deputy commissioner of the DMP’s Ramna Division, said the suspect claimed to have been in a four-year romantic relationship with Binti.

"Siam alleged they had a disagreement and suspected she got romantically involved with someone else. He went to the area armed with a knife, called her out, and as the argument intensified over their relationship, he stabbed her repeatedly from behind," Masud said.

The victim’s mother identified Siam as her daughter’s harasser, who had been stalking the schoolgirl for several years.

Masud noted that while a romantic relationship remained unconfirmed, the two were apparently on speaking terms.

"If he had been merely harassing her, she likely wouldn't have come out to meet him at night. They were seen talking and walking together," the police officer added.

Binti, a ninth-grade student, was attacked around 9pm on Wednesday outside her residence.

Witnesses said Siam remained at the spot for a few moments after the stabbing before fleeing on a motorcycle.