Woman missing 23 days found buried in Henry Island; lover arrested for murder
Synopsis
A woman missing for 23 days was found buried under sand in a forested stretch of Henry Island, West Bengal — allegedly killed by her lover who had lured her to the seaside town on the pretext of a trip. The accused's confession led police directly to the concealed grave, raising questions about how long such disappearances go undetected in remote coastal areas.
Key Takeaways
Rabia Fakir , 34 , missing since 26 May , was found buried in a forest on Henry Island , South 24 Parganas , on 20 June .
Her alleged lover, Zahirul Sardar , was arrested on 18 June and reportedly confessed during interrogation.
The accused allegedly strangled Rabia and buried her body under sand to destroy evidence.
The body has been sent to Kakdwip Hospital morgue for post-mortem; cause of death is yet to be officially confirmed.
Police are investigating whether any other individuals were involved in the crime.
The decomposed body of Rabia Fakir, a 34-year-old woman who had been missing for 23 days, was recovered from a dense forest on Henry Island in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district on Friday, 20 June, police said. Her alleged lover, Zahirul Sardar, has been arrested in connection with the case after reportedly confessing to the crime during interrogation.
How the Body Was Discovered
Rabia, a resident of Joynagar under the jurisdiction of Bakultala police station, had gone missing on 26 May. Her family filed a missing person complaint shortly after her disappearance. Following sustained investigation, police arrested Zahirul Sardar on 18 June. During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to the crime, leading investigators to the burial site.
Teams from Bakultala and Fraserganj Coastal police stations escorted the accused to Henry Island in Bakkhali on Friday, where the body was recovered from beneath sand in a forested area. The remains have been sent to Kakdwip Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination.
What the Accused Allegedly Confessed
According to police, Zahirul allegedly told investigators that he had taken Rabia to Bakkhali on 26 May on the pretext of a trip to the seaside resort town. He then allegedly strangled her to death in a secluded area of Henry Island and buried the body under sand in an attempt to conceal the crime.
A senior officer of Baruipur Police District confirmed the recovery, stating: 'Yesterday, the accused was taken to Henry Island to recover the body of the woman after he confessed to the crime during interrogation. The body has been recovered and sent for autopsy. The exact cause of death can be ascertained once the autopsy report arrives. Investigation is on to find out whether anyone else was involved in the incident.'
Family's Reaction and Demand for Justice
Rabia's brother, Ashraf Fakir, alleged that Zahirul had lured his sister into a relationship before killing her and burying her body. He demanded strict punishment for the accused.
According to investigators, Rabia and Zahirul — who hails from the same locality — had been involved in an extramarital relationship, and differences had reportedly developed between the two in the period leading up to her disappearance.
Investigation Status
Police have confirmed that the post-mortem report is awaited to establish the exact cause of death. Authorities are also probing whether any other individuals were involved in the incident. The case falls under the jurisdiction of Baruipur Police District, and the investigation remains active.
Point of View
Not before. Rabia Fakir was missing for 23 days; her alleged killer was in the same community throughout. The confession-led recovery, while effective, also underscores how dependent Indian investigations remain on custodial admissions rather than forensic or digital trail-building. As the post-mortem result awaits, the question of whether anyone else aided the concealment deserves equal scrutiny.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Rabia Fakir's body found?
Rabia Fakir's body was recovered from a dense forest on Henry Island in Bakkhali, South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. The body had been buried under sand, allegedly to conceal the crime.
Who has been arrested in the Henry Island murder case?
Zahirul Sardar, Rabia Fakir's alleged lover who hails from the same locality of Joynagar, has been arrested. He was taken into custody on 18 June and reportedly confessed to the killing during interrogation.
How was the body discovered after 23 days?
After Zahirul Sardar's arrest on 18 June, he allegedly confessed during interrogation and led police teams from Bakultala and Fraserganj Coastal police stations to the burial site on Henry Island on 20 June.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The body has been sent to Kakdwip Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination. Police are awaiting the autopsy report to confirm the exact cause of death and are also investigating whether any other individuals were involved.
What did Rabia Fakir's family say?
Her brother, Ashraf Fakir, alleged that Zahirul had lured Rabia into a relationship before killing her. He has demanded strict punishment for the accused.
