A case has been filed over the murder of five people, including three children, their mother, and a young man, who were found with their throats slit in Rautkona village of Kapasia in Gazipur.

Police have detained two people for questioning in connection with the incident, said Gazipur Superintendent of Police Md Sharif Uddin.

Shahadat Molla, father of deceased Sharmin, lodged the case at Kapasia Police Station at around 7:35pm today, said Kapasia Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Shahinur Alam.

The prime accused in the case is Sharmin’s husband, Forkan Mia. Additionally, three to four unidentified individuals have also been named as accused.

The OC said accused Forkan, of Mary Gopinathpur village in Gopalganj Sadar upazila, has been absconding since the incident.

The deceased were identified as Forkan’s wife Sharmin, 35, their children Mim, 16, Maria, 8, Faria, 2, and Sharmin’s brother Rasul, 22.

According to local sources, Forkan worked as a private car driver. He married Sharmin around 20 years ago, and for the past year they had been living with their children in a rented house owned by expatriate Monir Hossain in Rautkona village.

The killings took place at the house late last night.

Police initially suspect that the murders stemmed from family disputes.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Kapasia-Kaliganj Circle) Asaduzzaman said preliminary investigations suggest Forkan may have slaughtered all five victims. However, investigators are still examining how a single person could have carried out the killings alone.

Police are also investigating whether the victims had been given sedatives or sleeping pills before the murders.

Additional District Magistrate Salma Khatun described the incident as “extremely heartbreaking” and said those responsible would be brought to justice following a swift investigation.