After learning that 80-year-old Wahida Begum, also known as Bobi Begum, had died following a brutal assault and robbery at Methikanda Railway Station in Raipura upazila of Narsingdi, her family traced her whereabouts for the first time in 25 years.

Her relatives travelled from Bogura on Sunday to pay their respects at her grave beside the railway station.

Thirteen relatives left Bogura in a microbus early in the morning and reached Methikanda Railway Station around 3:30pm before visiting her grave in tears.

According to the family, Wahida was originally from Ghon Sagatia village under Rameshwarpur union in Gabtoli upazila of Bogura. She was the eldest daughter of the late Rahim Uddin Pramanik and Anisa Bibi.

Family members said both of her parents were speech-impaired. Seven of their eight children, including Wahida, were born with speech disabilities.

According to the family, Wahida’s husband died about a year and a half after their marriage, and their only daughter also died shortly after birth.

She then returned to her parents’ home, but about 25 years ago she left following a disagreement with her younger sister and never returned home.

The family searched for her for nearly three years before eventually giving up hope.

They recently recognised her through photographs circulating on social media following reports of her death and confirmed that the victim was their long-lost family member.

“So many people have accused us of coming here for money,” said Soikat Islam, husband of Wahida’s younger sister. “If she left behind any money, it should be donated to a local mosque, madrasa or orphanage. We have no claim over it. Being able to visit her grave after 25 years is our greatest consolation.”

He said the family’s search for Wahida gradually petered out, as most family members have speech impairments and the only relative who had actively looked for her later died.

According to railway police and station officials, Wahida got off a train at Methikanda Railway Station about 25 years ago and never left. She made an abandoned room at the station her home and survived by sweeping the platform, cleaning toilets and carrying out other maintenance work.

Instead of spending the little money given to her by passengers and local residents, Wahida saved the money over the years.

Police said a group of people entered her room late on July 4 and demanded that she hand over her savings. When she refused, they allegedly beat her severely before fleeing with the money.

She later became critically ill and was taken to Raipura Upazila Health Complex. Doctors referred her to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital, but she died on the way.

A case, initially filed with Bhairab Railway Police Station over robbery and assault, was later converted into a murder case following her death.

A joint force has so far arrested five suspects -- Sakib Mia, Ilias Mia, Billal Mia, Din Islam and Rifat Mia.

A Narsingdi court on Sunday placed all five on a three-day remand for interrogation.

Following an autopsy, Wahida was laid to rest on Wednesday night at Nurpur Graveyard after funeral prayers were held at Methikanda Railway Station.