Fourth DNA trace found in Tanu murder case

The long-stalled investigation into the murder of college student and theatre activist Sohagi Jahan Tanu has taken a dramatic new turn, as investigators confirmed the presence of a fourth person’s DNA nearly a decade after the killing.
The Police Bureau of Investigation confirmed Sunday that the Criminal Investigation Department detected the additional genetic material during a recent re-examination of forensic evidence -- bringing the total number of individuals whose DNA has been found on Tanu's clothing to four, including sperm traces from three men previously identified.
PBI investigation officer, Md. Tarikul Islam said the CID notified his team of the finding approximately one month ago. While he described it as an extension of earlier forensic analysis rather than entirely new evidence, he said it adds a significant new dimension to an investigation that has long been deadlocked.
Tanu, a history student at Comilla Victoria Government College and an active theatre practitioner, disappeared on March 20, 2016, while travelling to a private tutoring session inside the cantonment. Her body was later found in bushes near the power house area within the military zone. Allegations that she was raped and murdered inside a heavily secured installation triggered sustained public protests across Bangladesh, yet no one has been convicted in the nine years since.

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In a related development, authorities arrested retired senior warrant officer Hafizur Rahman -- formerly stationed at Comilla Cantonment at the time of the killing -- from Keraniganj on April 21. His DNA sample has been collected and is currently being cross-matched with evidence recovered from Tanu's clothing. Results have not yet been disclosed.
Investigators say the renewed forensic push, backed by fresh court approval obtained in April, represents the most serious effort in years to identify and prosecute those responsible for one of Bangladesh's most high-profile unsolved murders.