Kishoreganj’s Bhairab witnessed a grim tragedy on Tuesday as four members of the same family were found dead inside their residence. Neighbors, alerted by the unresponsiveness from inside the house, broke open the door to discover the lifeless bodies of Johnny Biswas (32), his wife Nipa Mallik (26), and their two young children.
Police suspect that Johnny killed his wife and children before taking his own life. Johnny was found hanging from a ceiling fan, while his wife’s throat was slit. Their seven-year-old son, Dhrubo, and four-year-old daughter, Kotha, were found lifeless on the bed.
Family Background
Johnny Biswas, originally from Raipura in Narsingdi, lived in Bhairab with his family for eight years. A workshop worker, Johnny had been struggling financially in recent times. Nipa, his wife, was expecting their third child. The family resided in a rented rooftop flat in Bhairab’s Ranibazar area.
According to relatives, Johnny and his wife seemed to maintain a stable relationship, and no significant disputes were reported. However, neighbors mentioned that Johnny had appeared unusually quiet in recent weeks, adding to suspicions of financial and emotional stress.
The Tragic Discovery
On Tuesday afternoon, a building caretaker noticed that the family’s door was locked from the inside and received no response despite repeated calls. Alerting neighbors and Johnny’s colleagues, they eventually broke down the door to find the horrifying scene. Bloodstains were scattered throughout the room, indicating a violent series of events.
Investigations Underway
Police and members of RAB (Rapid Action Battalion) quickly secured the area, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) Md. Shahin stated that initial evidence suggests murder-suicide, but the exact motive remains unclear. The bodies have been sent for autopsy at Kishoreganj’s Shahid Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College.
Broader Context
This tragedy comes against the backdrop of an escalating economic crisis in Bangladesh. Following significant political and economic upheavals on August 5, the country has seen a sharp rise in living costs, a banking liquidity crisis, and widespread unemployment due to factory closures. Such hardships have led to a worrying increase in suicide rates, with numerous similar incidents reported in recent months.