Kutubjan Bibi, the accused in the murder case filed over the death of six-year-old Muntaha in Sylhet’s Kanaighat, died today (November 14) during the ongoing investigation of the case.

Kutubjan, 81, was also the grandmother of Muntaha’s former private teacher, Marzia Akter, who is the main defendant in the case. UP member Selim Ahmed confirmed that the woman passed away in Nij Chaura village of Shylet’s Kanaighat district.

After Muntaha’s body was found on Sunday, November 10, Kutubjan Bibi was also detained by the police. However, he was released the next day after interrogation.

Selim Ahmed said, “The police handed over Kutubjan to me on Monday. However, he could not move since then, and we had his brother take care of him at his father’s house. He passed away there on Thursday morning.”

According to Investigating Officer SI Shamsul Arefin Jihad Bhuiya, the four persons arrested in connection with the Munta murder case are currently in custody and are being questioned at the police station.

It was stated that the suspects would be referred to the courthouse at the end of the five-day detention period. They have already provided some information, but details cannot be released in the interest of the investigation.

The detainees include Munta’s former teacher Marzia Akter Sumi (25), her mother Alifjan Begum (55) and neighbors Islam Uddin (40) and Nazma Begum (35).

One of them, Marzia Akter, was first detained by the police on suspicion on Saturday night, November 9.

In the early hours of Sunday, November 10, locals detained Marzia’s mother, Alifjan Begum, while she was carrying Munta’s body.

The police then arrested Alifjan and then detained his neighbors Islam Uddin and Nazma Begum.

Kanaighat Police Officer (OC) Md Abdul Awal said that considering his age and physical condition and finding no evidence linking him to Muntahs’ murder, Kutubjan was left in the custody of a UP member. “I heard that he passed away today,” he said.

Muntaha’s body was recovered from the pond next to his home on Sunday morning. According to police, citing local sources, Alifjan was seen moving Munta’s body, which was buried in a dry canal, but tried to escape when locals noticed him. Angry locals managed to detain him and take Munta’s body, setting fire to Marzia’s house in the process.

Muntaha of Kanaighat Upazila was missing since November 3 afternoon. She was the daughter of Shamim Ahmed from Bharifoud village. Her disappearance sparked outrage on social media, with people both in Bangladesh and abroad offering rewards for information.