Interpol red notices sought for two fugitives in Tonu murder

A court in Cumilla has ordered the issuance of Interpol red notices against two absconding suspects in the murder case of Cumilla Victoria Government College student Sohagi Jahan Tonu.

The order was issued on Monday by Judge Muminul Haque of Cumilla Senior Judicial Magistrate Court No. 1, directing investigators to take necessary steps to issue arrest warrants and seek international alerts to locate the fugitives. The two suspects are retired Sergeant Zahiduzzaman and former army member Shahin Alam. According to court sources, Shahin Alam has reportedly fled to Kuwait, while Zahiduzzaman’s whereabouts remain unknown.

Investigators say they have gathered key information during the interrogation of the only arrested accused in the case, former Warrant Officer Md Hafizur Rahman, who is currently in Comilla Central Jail. Evidence and witness statements reportedly place the two fugitives at the crime scene and indicate their involvement in the killing.

Earlier, on April 22, the investigating officer produced Hafizur Rahman before the court and secured a three-day remand for further questioning.

Tonu went missing on March 20, 2016, after going to a residence inside the Comilla Cantonment to provide private tuition. Her body was later recovered from bushes near the cantonment’s power house, triggering widespread national outrage and a long-running investigation.