Police to seek court nod for DNA, drug tests of suspects

RANGPUR, Aug 27: The grisly killing of a retired teacher and three members of his family in Rangpur has taken a new turn, with police preparing to seek court permission for DNA and drug tests on two arrested suspects as investigators work to verify their accounts against forensic and other evidence.

Police will seek court permission to conduct DNA and drug tests on Siddhartha Das, 19, and Mugdha Das, 23, who were arrested in connection with the killings of retired teacher Ganapati Chakraborty and three members of his family.

Rangpur Metropolitan Police (RMP) Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mabud said the suspects provided new details in statements recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Investigators are comparing their accounts with post-mortem reports, forensic findings and other evidence.

Police said both suspects admitted to using Yaba before allegedly killing Ganapati, his wife Pritilata, daughter Agami and son Ayush Priyam. All four victims died from strangulation, according to autopsy reports.

The suspects allegedly told investigators that they hid on the roof of Ganapati's house after taking Yaba and attacked him when he discovered them during his morning walk. They then allegedly killed his wife and daughter after they came upstairs following a noise.

Police said the suspects later entered Ganapati's room, where they found 12-year-old Ayush awake. He allegedly recognised Siddhartha, prompting the pair to kill him to prevent him from raising the alarm, police said.

The suspects allegedly cut electrical wires, took Tk 15,000 and jewellery, and scattered belongings around the house to make the killings appear to have been carried out during a robbery.

RMP Commissioner said Mugdha claimed they used nine Yaba tablets that night, while Siddhartha said they used eight.
Police are also investigating whether anyone else was involved. Their statements allegedly identified a man named Shanto as their Yaba supplier, and police are trying to locate and arrest him.

The investigation has been transferred from Kotwali Police to the Detective Branch, led by DB Inspector Jinnat Ali.
Forensic examinations found no evidence of rape involving Ganapati's wife or daughter, police said. "The post-mortem findings are consistent with the account given by the suspects," RMP commissioner said.