# Child safety crisis in Bangladesh

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/child-safety-crisis-in-bangladesh
> Updated: 2026-10-09T13:23:21.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

Recent violent crimes against minors in the Cumilla region of Bangladesh have intensified concerns regarding child safety. In September, the murder of 13-year-old Ishayat Shahriar Apratim was reported after his body was found near Lalmai Hill with signs of head trauma. Authorities arrested four individuals, including a primary suspect, following the theft of the victim’s mobile phone.

In October, another incident occurred in the same Lalmai area involving the rape and murder of 15-year-old student Jannatul Tajmin. Police arrested a CNG auto-rickshaw driver, Sumon Mia, who allegedly lured the victim to a secluded area before killing her by strangulation and stealing her iPhone. 

Detailed investigations into the Tajmin case revealed that the suspect picked up the seventh-grade student on the night of October 7, promising to take her home for a 300 Taka fare before diverting to an isolated area. While the victim attempted to send her live location to her father via WhatsApp, the message was not seen immediately due to the late hour. Sumon Mia reportedly confessed to the crime in court, leading to the recovery of the victim's iPhone. He has been sent to Comilla District Jail as authorities investigate potential accomplices.

These specific cases reflect broader national trends; human rights organization Ain-o-Salish Kendra reported that 254 children were killed during the first eight months of 2026, while police statistics indicated over 15,000 children went missing between January and July of that year.

## Claims

- Auto-rickshaw driver Sumon Mia confessed to the rape and murder of seventh-grade student Jannatul Tazmin. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Jannatul Tazmin's body was discovered in a paddy field in Lalmai, Cumilla, on the morning of October 8. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The suspect, Sumon Mia, was arrested in Chattogram following the investigation. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Investigators recovered the victim's iPhone from a location identified by the suspect. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Tazmin attempted to seek help by sending her live location to her father via WhatsApp during the incident. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The suspect provided a confessional statement in court and was sent to Comilla District Jail. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-09: Cumilla police arrest auto-driver for rape and murder of schoolgirl

Police arrested auto-rickshaw driver Sumon Mia for the rape and murder of 15-year-old student Jannatul Tazmin in Cumilla, Bangladesh. The suspect confessed in court and the victim's phone was recovered.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cumilla-police-arrest-driver-for-rape-and-murder-of-schoolgirl

### 2026-09-19: Bangladesh child safety concerns rise after Cumilla student murder

Police arrested four suspects for the murder of 13-year-old Ishayat Shahriar Apratim in Cumilla, Bangladesh. The killing, allegedly motivated by iPhone theft, follows a surge in child disappearances.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/comilla-university-teachers-son-found-dead-in-forest

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Cite as: Child safety crisis in Bangladesh. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/child-safety-crisis-in-bangladesh