Husband Sentenced to Death for Wife’s Murder in Badda

A Dhaka court has sentenced Monir Hossain to death for murdering his wife, Shakir Khatun Soma, in the capital’s Middle Badda area nearly nine years ago. The court also fined him Tk 100,000 in connection with the killing.

The verdict was delivered on Tuesday by Dhaka’s Sixth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge, Md Sadekin Habib. Monir was brought to the courtroom from jail before the verdict was pronounced. Following the announcement, the court issued a warrant for the execution of his sentence and ordered that he be returned to prison.

Additional Public Prosecutor Mohammad Habibur Rahman expressed satisfaction with the verdict, saying the long-running murder case had finally reached its judicial conclusion and that the prosecution was pleased with the maximum punishment handed down to the accused.

According to court records and sources familiar with the proceedings, Monir Hossain and Soma were married in 2003 and had a daughter. The case documents state that, at one stage after their marriage, Monir began asking Soma’s family for money, reportedly claiming that he needed funds for his business.

The prosecution alleged that Soma continued to face physical and mental abuse despite financial support from her family. According to the first information report, Soma’s relatives had given Monir around Tk 1.1 million at different times. Her family members later alleged that the demands for money continued and that Soma was subjected to further abuse.

In February 2017, following a period of alleged mistreatment, Soma was sent to her parental home. Monir later brought her back to their residence after assuring her family that she would not face further abuse, according to the case narrative. However, the alleged domestic conflict and violence reportedly continued.

The case alleges that on 6 October 2017, an argument broke out between the couple over money. At one stage, Monir allegedly attacked Soma with a knife, injuring her seriously in the throat. Hearing her cries, people from the surrounding area reportedly rushed to the scene.

Soma was subsequently rescued and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors on duty declared her dead.

On the same day, Soma’s mother, Mosammat Akhtar Banu, filed a murder case with Badda Police Station. Monir was later arrested in connection with the case. Court records state that during the investigation he made a confessional statement before a court.

After completing the investigation, police submitted the charge sheet to the court on 7 December 2017. Charges were formally framed against Monir on 17 May 2018, paving the way for the trial to begin.

During the proceedings, 15 of the 20 witnesses listed in the case testified before the court. After examining their statements, documentary evidence and other materials presented during the trial, the court found Monir guilty of murdering his wife.

Court sources said Monir had remained on bail for a significant period while the trial was under way. After the completion of closing arguments on 14 July, the court fixed Tuesday for delivering the verdict. His bail was cancelled on the same day and he was ordered to be sent to jail.

The death sentence marks a significant judicial development in a case that has remained pending for almost nine years. However, as the verdict carries the death penalty, the accused retains the legal right to pursue the avenues of appeal and other judicial remedies available under Bangladeshi law. The case therefore