Death penalty for husband in Badda wife murder case after 9 years

A court has sentenced Monir Hossain to death for the murder of his wife by slitting her throat in Dhaka's Badda area nearly nine years ago. He was also fined Tk 1 lakh.

The Sixth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge of Dhaka, Md Sadekin Habib Bappi, delivered the verdict on Tuesday (July 21). Court bench assistant Md Abul Kashem said Monir Hossain was brought to court from jail before the verdict. After the judgment, he was sent back to jail with the death warrant.

He said Monir was on bail during the trial. On July 14, after concluding arguments, the court fixed the date for the verdict and at the same time cancelled his bail and ordered him sent to jail.

According to case documents, Monir Hossain married Shakira Khatun Soma in 2003. The couple had a daughter. Soon after the marriage, Monir and his family members began physically and mentally abusing Soma. Monir also regularly demanded money from Soma's family on the pretext of business. Although Soma's family gave him around Tk 11 lakh on various occasions, he continued the abuse for more money.

In February 2017, Monir threw Soma out of the house after beating her. A few days later, he brought her back, promising not to abuse her again. However, the situation did not change. On October 6 that year, during an argument over money, Monir slit his wife's throat with a knife. Hearing Soma's screams, neighbours rescued her and took her to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

On the day of the incident, the victim's mother, Mosa Aktar Banu, filed a murder case with Badda Police Station. Police later arrested Monir. During interrogation, he confessed to the murder in court. After the investigation, on December 7 that year, the then Sub-Inspector (SI) of Badda Police Station, Bayezid Bostami, submitted the charge sheet to the court. On May 17, 2018, the court framed charges and began the trial.

During the trial, 15 of the 20 witnesses testified. After reviewing the evidence, the accused's defence and the arguments of both sides, the court found Monir Hossain guilty and sentenced him to death. Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Mohammad Habibur Rahman expressed satisfaction with the verdict.