Police have arrested Farhan Roni, the son of a Juba League leader, in connection with the burning of the body of a beheaded woman in Akhaura of Brahmanbaria.
The shocking incident occurred in the Gazir Bazar area of Dakshin Union on Tuesday morning (December 24).
Roni, the son of Shahnewaz Bhuiyan, General Secretary of Akhaura Dakshin Union Juba League, is also reportedly a known drug peddler, said the police.
The identity of the deceased woman remains unknown, and most of her headless body was burnt beyond recognition.
Locals reported that a swan had gone missing from one Enamul's house in the Gazir Bazar area. While searching for the bird in the morning, Enamul noticed smoke coming from an abandoned corrugated sheet-roofed house at Shahnewaz Bhuiyan’s home.
Farhan Roni, who was at the scene, claimed he was burning leaves. Suspicious, Enamul and his brother Roman decided to investigate further. This led to a confrontation with Farhan, who allegedly threatened to kill them.
As their suspicions grew, they, along with other villagers, discovered a body burning in a pit on the property. The police were alerted and later recovered the charred remains.
Later, based on information provided by Roni, the police have recovered the severed head of the slain woman from a pond in Gazir Bazar area.
The victim has been identified as Horluja, 50, the wife of Nurul Islam Bepari, a resident of a colony in the Gazir Bazar area of Akhaura Dakshin Union.
Akhaura Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saimuddin said they were interrogating Roni extensively to determine the motive behind the murder and uncover further details about the crime.
"Efforts are underway to determine the full circumstances and motives behind this gruesome act," he said.