Tayeba was only six years old- a student of Darun Nazat Madrasah Complex in Sakhipur, Shariatpur. On the evening of 24 September 2025, the world of her parents shattered. At 5:00 PM, a post appeared on Facebook- "Tayeba is missing." Within moments, the news spread like wildfire. Friends, relatives, and well-wishers of her father shared every post, every message, praying and hoping for her safe return.
Her father informed the police station immediately- the station was not far away. Yet, as the hours passed, there was no trace of little Tayeba. Her parents waited with trembling hearts, every knock on the door felt like hope, but the door never opened with her smile.
People whispered she had been abducted, and that kidnappers would call demanding ransom. Her father and relatives even managed to gather money, waiting desperately for the phone call. But no call ever came. Instead, the father himself posted on Facebook-
"If anyone is keeping my daughter, please return her. I will not accuse you; I will forgive you. Just hand her back to us. Please, trust me." But those words never reached the ears of the criminals.
Then came the darkest day- 26 September 2025. After two days of unbearable waiting, her dead body was found floating in a septic tank. No one had the strength to look at her. Her tiny eyes were displaced, her tongue half hanging out of her mouth, her little body bore marks of torture. What brutality. What mercilessness. No one could stop their tears when they saw her being pulled out of that septic tank.
What could be the feelings of her parents? Language fails here. Their life ended while still breathing. How can any father or mother endure such a sight? A six-year-old child-what crime could she possibly commit to deserve such an end? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Yet her life was taken, and her body mutilated in a way too cruel for words.
Her parents accused her own aunt, pointing to previous family disputes. Locals also voiced suspicion. In the beginning, citizens believed the police would act neutrally. But gradually, doubts began to spread- the investigation did not appear to be moving toward uncovering the truth. A press release issued by the Superintendent of Police was seen by many as diverting attention away from the real crime.
Getting justice is a constitutional right, but the burning question
remains- why must citizens beg for it? Why should grieving parents have
to join human chains, march in the streets, and go viral on social media
just to get attention from law enforcement?
Citizens stood up. Human chains were formed every day. Students, guardians, neighbors- all gathered in front of the police station to demand justice for Tayeba. Finally, on 03 October 2025, a long human chain was held in front of Dhaka Press Club by Professionals, students, parents, and concerned citizens from Sakhipur, who live in Dhaka, where her father and mother stood in tears, demanding justice. Only then was the Officer-in-Charge of the respective police station closed from duty.
Getting justice is a constitutional right, but the burning question remains- why must citizens beg for it? Why should grieving parents have to join human chains, march in the streets, and go viral on social media just to get attention from law enforcement? Isn't it the sacred duty of the authorities to act without fear or favor? Aren't police meant to be the last resort of a citizen in any civilized country?
If a father and mother, after losing their little child in such a brutal way, cannot place their trust in the system, then where is law and order? If justice requires protest and movement every time, then what role does law enforcement play in society? Neutrality and impartiality are the foundation of justice- without them, innocent people can be accused while real criminals may walk free.
This tragedy is not just about one child. It is a mirror reflecting how fragile justice has become in our country. A welfare state cannot be built upon a system that fails to earn the confidence of its citizens, and forces grieving families to cry out in the streets for justice.
All over the world, the police are expected to be the guardians of truth and the protectors of citizens. But in Bangladesh, why must people create human chains, why must they go viral on social media, just to demand justice for a brutally murdered six-year-old child?
This is not just unacceptable, it is unbearable. It is heartbreaking.
And it must change.
The writer is a member of Dhaka Taxes Bar Association
