A Bangladeshi court has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his wife while she was performing her morning prayer, in a case that has shocked the community in Noakhali’s Companiganj upazila.
The incident took place on 3 January 2018 in the Musapur Union area. According to court documents, the victim, Shahanara Begum, was engaged in her Fajr prayers at dawn when her husband, Golam Sarwar (40), suddenly attacked her. He allegedly wrapped a traditional towel (locally known as a gamcha) around her neck and strangled her, causing her death on the spot.
After years of legal proceedings, the Noakhali Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-1 delivered its verdict on Tuesday afternoon. Judge Mohammad Khorshedul Alam Sikder found Golam Sarwar guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
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Family and legal background
The couple had been married for several years and had two children. At the time of the incident, the family was living together in Companiganj. The case was filed on the same day by the father of the deceased, marking the beginning of a lengthy investigation and trial process.
One of the most crucial elements in the case was the testimony of the couple’s eldest son, who was only nine years old at the time of the incident. His statement in court played a significant role in establishing the sequence of events and corroborating the prosecution’s claims.
Court observations
The prosecution argued that the murder was deliberate and carried out during a moment of religious devotion, making the act particularly severe in nature. After reviewing witness testimonies, medical evidence, and investigative reports, the court concluded that the charges had been proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Public Prosecutor Md Selim Shahi confirmed the verdict and stated that justice had been served. He noted that the crime was committed in a highly sensitive context and that the ruling would send a strong message against domestic violence and extreme forms of spousal abuse.
Case overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Musapur Union, Companiganj, Noakhali |
| Date of incident | 3 January 2018 |
| Victim | Shahanara Begum |
| Convicted | Golam Sarwar (40) |
| Relationship | Husband and wife |
| Children | Two sons |
| Key witness | Eldest son (aged 9 at the time) |
| Method of killing | Strangulation using a towel (gamcha) |
| Court | Noakhali Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-1 |
| Sentence | Life imprisonment |
Wider impact
The case has drawn attention to the persistent issue of domestic violence in rural Bangladesh, where family disputes can sometimes escalate into fatal incidents. Legal experts suggest that the reliance on child testimony in such cases, while sensitive, often becomes crucial in uncovering the truth.
Following the verdict, prosecutors expressed hope that the ruling would reinforce public trust in the justice system and act as a deterrent against similar crimes in the future.