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Sharmin’s husband, Forkan Miah, has been absconding since the incident.

Her father, Shahadat Molla, filed a case against five people around 7:35pm, naming Forkan as the prime accused. The remaining accused were not named.

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

Forkan, originally from Meri Gopinathpur village in Gopalganj Sadar upazila, worked as a private car driver and married Sharmin around 20 years ago. The family had been living in a rented house in Rautkona village for nearly a year.

Speaking to reporters, Sharmin’s uncle Uzzal said Forkan frequently assaulted his wife. About six months ago, Sharmin returned to her father’s home in Gopalganj but was later sent back to her husband.

Uzzal also alleged that Forkan kept demanding money from the family, leading to repeated disputes.

Shahin, another relative of Sharmin, said Forkan called his brother, Mishkat, on the night of the incident to tell him he had killed everyone in the house. He then asked Mishkat to let Sharmin’s family know.

Mishkat could not be reached over the phone despite repeated attempts.

After being informed early yesterday, Sharmin’s family asked their relatives in Gazipur to check on the house. After finding the bodies, they informed police, who recovered them around 8:00am.

Lutfunnahar, wife of the house owner Monir Hossain, who is an expatriate, said her husband is currently in Singapore. She and her daughter live in a house near Sharmin’s. “After receiving the information, I went to the house and saw Sharmin wearing new clothes, tied up and hanging from the window grille, Rasul on a bed, and the three children on the floor -- all dead.”

Sharmin’s nephew, Sakib Al Hasan Biswas, a student of Bhawal Ideal School and College, said Rasul had recently come to Kapasia after being lured by Forkan with promises of employment.

Contacted by The Daily Star, Asaduzzaman, additional superintendent of police (Kapasia-Kaliganj Circle), said preliminary findings suggest that Forkan killed all five with a sharp weapon. “The incident may have occurred due to a family feud.”

Police are investigating whether sedatives or sleeping pills were used before the murders.

Additional District Magistrate Salma Khatun described the incident as deeply heartbreaking and said those responsible would be brought to justice after a thorough investigation.