Elderly woman robbed and murdered in broad daylight in Pirojpur

Police say she was alone at home during the robbery

An elderly woman has been strangled to death in her Pirojpur home, with cash and gold jewellery looted in broad daylight.

The incident took place at the residence of teacher Md Enamul Haque Milon, who resides in Ward No. 7 of Sutiakathi Union in Swarupkathi Upazila, on Tuesday afternoon, according to Swarupkathi Police Station chief Md Bani Amin.

The victim Shefali Begum, 72, was the mother of Enamul, a teacher at Swarupkathi Collegiate Academy School.

“We were at school during the incident. My 10-year old son Tahjid was at his madrasa. When he came home around noon, he found his grandmother unconscious and started calling out for help,” said Rubina Rahman Sraboni, Shefali’s daughter-in-law.

“He later informed us at school. When we arrived home, we found my mother-in-law’s neck, hands, feet, and mouth tied. The house was ransacked, and a cupboard was broken open. About seven to eight Bhori of gold jewellery and some cash had been looted.”

Shefali was rushed to a local hospital with the help of neighbours, but doctors declared her dead upon arrival, said Sraboni.

Sutiakathi Union Parishad Chairman Md Ruhul Amin Asim said Enamul and his wife were both at their respective schools at the time of the incident.

“Someone entered the house around noon, tied Enamul’s mother’s hands, mouth, and neck with a towel, and killed her before making off with cash and gold jewellery,” he added.

OC Amin, who visited the scene, said it was too early to determine if the crime was a robbery or something else. “We will investigate thoroughly and take legal action,” he said.