A court in Cumilla has ordered DNA tests on three individuals in connection with the murder of Sohagi Jahan Tonu, a history student and theater activist at Cumilla Victoria Government College, nearly 10 years after her death.

On Monday (April 6), Judge Mohammad Muminul Haque of Cumilla Chief Judicial Magistrate Court issued the directive, after the investigating officer appeared in court and submitted a progress report on the case.

The investigation is now being handled by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) in Dhaka, and Inspector Tarikul Islam confirmed the court’s order. The names of the three individuals on whom the DNA tests were ordered have not been disclosed, but they are reported to be retired army officers.

Court sources said the Magistrate Court recently wrote to the PBI seeking an update on the investigation, prompting the officer to appear and submit a written statement on Monday. Based on that submission, the judge directed DNA testing for the three suspects.

Inspector Tarikul Islam of PBI Dhaka said three individuals were earlier matched through DNA profiles obtained from Tonu’s clothing, but the matches were not confirmed with further verification.

He said the court has now instructed DNA testing of the three suspects, all of whom have retired from military service, and asked the investigation team to report progress by the next scheduled date.

Tonu`s father, Iyar Hossain, also attended court proceedings and expressed frustration over the long delay.

He recalled that current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had pledged in London that the BNP government would ensure justice for Tonu, and said he would now seek a meeting with the Prime Minister to demand justice for his daughter.

Hossain said he has carried his daughter`s photograph while moving from place to place for years, but can no longer bear the wait.

Tonu went missing on March 20, 2016, after leaving home to attend a tuition session inside a house within the Cumilla Cantonment area. Her body was later found in a nearby jungle near a power house. Her father filed a murder case against unidentified persons at Cumilla Kotwali Model Police Station.

Initial investigations by the local police, district detective branch, and later the Criminal Investigation Department failed to identify the perpetrators.

In October 2020, the CID transferred the case files to the PBI headquarters in Dhaka under instructions from police headquarters.

Inspector Mojibur Rahman of PBI led the investigation for nearly four years, and since September 2024 the case has been under Inspector Tarikul Islam.