The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) collected DNA sample of retired army personnel Hafizur Rahman -- an accused in the Sohagi Jahan Tonu murder case -- and sent it to the laboratory today.

Investigating officer Tarikul Islam confirmed the development to The Daily Star.

On Wednesday afternoon, a special team of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), led by Tarikul, produced Hafizur at Cumilla Sadar Cognisance Court-1. The investigating officer requested the presence of complainant Yaar Hossain, Tonu's father, along with other family members, as witnesses.

Tarikul sought a seven-day remand, describing the allegations against Hafizur and the circumstances of his arrest.

He mentioned that Hafizur was arrested from Keraniganj in Dhaka, marking the first arrest in the case after ten years.

Tonu’s parents and younger brother were present in court, where her father identified the accused.

The court then granted a three-day remand, allowing the PBI to interrogate the accused in custody. The order was issued at 5:12 pm, after which PBI officials escorted Hafizur from the courtroom.

Following the proceedings, Tarikul held a private discussion with Tonu’s family inside the courtroom. At around 5:45 pm, the PBI team and the family left the premises.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Yaar Hossain said he had identified Tarikul as being involved in the murder, adding that the accused was serving in the Cumilla Cantonment Signal Unit (5 Signal) at the time of the incident.

Earlier, on April 6, the seventh investigating officer of the much-discussed case sought permission to cross-match DNA samples of three suspects: retired army personnel Sergeant Zahid, Hafizur, and soldier Jahangir Alam.