Sherpur Correspondent

Police on Wednesday afternoon recovered the partially decomposed body of a 40-year-old paddy trader, who had been missing for nine days, buried underground in Jhenaigati Upazila under Sherpur district.

The deceased was identified as Billal Hossain, son of the late Golap Hossain from Jarultala village under Nalkura Union in the upazila.

Police have detained 19 individuals belonging to the local ethnic minority community for questioning in connection with the incident.

According to police and local sources, Billal engaged in money lending alongside his paddy trading business.

Family members stated that Billal left his residence around 10:00 pm on August 4 after dinner, saying he was going out for tea. He failed to return home, and subsequent search efforts by family members across various locations proved unsuccessful.

On Wednesday afternoon, local children fishing near the Anjanajhura area in Jarultala noticed a foul odor emanating from a nearby site. Upon investigating, local residents discovered indications of a body buried underground and alerted the authorities.

A police team from Jhenaigati Police Station arrived at the spot around 4:00 pm and exhumed Billal's partially decomposed body. Following the preparation of an inquest report, the body was sent to the Sherpur District Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

Sherpur Superintendent of Police A.K.M. Zahirul Islam and Assistant Superintendent of Police (Nalitabari Circle) Md. Afsan Al Alam visited the spot following the recovery.

Jhenaigati Police Station OC S.M. Noor Mohammad confirmed the body recovery and detentions, stating, "The body has been exhumed and sent to the Sherpur District Sadar Hospital morgue for post-mortem analysis.