Fake names, feigned madness? The man behind the Savar murders

Police have disclosed the "real identity" of the man arrested in connection with six murders in Savar over the past seven months.

Savar Model Police Station Inspector (operations) Md Helal Uddin today told The Daily star that the real name of the suspected "serial killer" is Sabuj Sheikh.

Locals believed he was mentally unwell, but police said he feigned the condition and used multiple aliases, including Mashiur Rahman Samrat and Tiger Samrat.

During interrogation, Sabuj claimed he killed the victims to prevent other people he described as “mentally unwell” from living in the area.

“But we are not convinced by this claim,” Inspector Helal said.

During preliminary interrogation, Sabuj confessed to his involvement in six murders, including the latest double killing, police said,

Police said he had no national identity card, and his fingerprints did not match any record. His past criminal history could not be verified.

Helal added the accused often phoned policemen to talk about irrelevant issues.

“He called me over phone on Friday evening and requested us, CID, PBI and Savar Police Station to recover two bodies. I felt disturbed, so I rebuked him and cut the line. Later, I went to the abandoned Savar Municipal Community Centre building around 12:15am (Saturday),” he said.

There, the inspector found a woman, later identified as Tania, under a blanket on the second floor, while the accused wandered nearby.

A search of his bag revealed two separate lists with the names of the officers of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station and Savar Model police station with their mobile numbers.

"We tore the lists, stayed there several hours and left the scene at around 3:00am,” Helal said.

Around 35 hours later, two burnt bodies were recovered from the same building.

CCTV footage linked Sabuj to the killings, leading to his arrest.

After interrogation, Sabuj confessed to killing six people between July 4, 2025 and January 18, 2026.

Five bodies were recovered from the abandoned community centre over the past five months.

Another victim, Asma Begum, 75, was found dead behind a tea stall near Savar Model Mosque on July 4.

On October 11, the body of an unidentified woman aged around 30 was found in a bathroom of the community centre with her throat slit.

On December 19, an unidentified man, aged about 35, was found dead in the building.

On Sunday afternoon, police recovered two burnt bodies from the community centre. One was identified as Tania Akhter, 25.

Her family said she was physically and mentally challenged and went missing on January 1. Her body was handed over after autopsy.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Savar Circle) Arafatul Islam said the accused used a SIM card registered in another person’s name. “We are investigating into it,” he added.

What the accused’s family and locals said

The Daily Star correspondent visited the of house of Sabuj Sheikh this evening.

His younger brother Jibon Sheikh said Sabuj had studied at a madrasa before dropping out and showing unusual behaviour.

“Sabuj came home around one month ago after around a two-year-gap. Earlier, Sabuj was sent to a rehab for a few days. He was even in jail for a few days,” said Jibon without giving any details.

His mother, Momtaz Begum, said he was mentally unstable, filed a case against his father, and was once married but later abandoned by his wife. He has a son.

Local union parishad member Sohel Khan said Sabuj had assaulted an auto-rickshaw driver years ago, leading to arbitration. Residents described him as a "drug addict".

Louhajanj Police Station OC Monirul Islam confirmed Sabuj is not accused in any case there.

Our Munshiganj correspondent contributed to the report