A teenage domestic worker named Preeti (15) fell to her death from the ninth floor of a flat owned by The Daily Star's Executive Editor, Syed Ashfaqul Haque in Mohammadpur of Dhaka.
Following this, police have detained six members of the family, including Syed Ashfaqul Haque, his wife Tania Khandaker, his daughter Afrin Haque, son Syed Anaf Mahmood, his relatives Al Raji Mahbub and Shalika Razia Khandaker.
Mohammadpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahfuzul Haque Bhuiyan confirmed the incident, stating that the 15-year-old domestic worker, Preeti, fell from the ninth floor around 8:30 in the morning and succumbed to her injuries at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital (ShSMC).
The police have detained the occupants of the house, including the executive editor of The Daily Star and his family, on suspicion of involvement in the tragic incident. The deceased maid's family, residing in Moulvibazar, has been informed of the developments.
On 6 August last year, domestic worker Ferdausi fell from the balcony of the same home and was seriously injured. She was rescued and treated first at the Suhrawardy Hospital and later at the Dhaka Medical.
Josna Begum, the mother of the injured domestic worker, then filed a case with Mohammadpur police station mentioning the names of Syed Ashfaqul Haque, his wife Tanya Khandkar and another person named Asma Akhtar.
The recurrence of such incidents raises questions about the circumstances surrounding them. Preeti had been working at Ashfaqul's and his mother-in-law's house for two years prior to the tragedy, added Officer-in-Charge Mahfuzul Haque Bhuiyan.
Police sources said, they will pursue legal action even if the family chooses not to file a case.
Meanwhile, some residents of the Mohammadpur area have demanded capital punishment for the accused Syed Ashfaqul Haque and his family.
