Police have formally arrested Satkhira-4 MP Gazi Nazrul Islam and his first wife, Maksuda Begum, in an abetment of suicide case following the death of his 19-year-old second wife, Mariam Khatun, in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Tejgaon Division Deputy Commissioner of Police Md Ibne Mizan confirmed the arrests at around 1am on Monday. He said Gazi Nazrul and Maksuda had been shown arrested in the case filed at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.
The development followed the recovery of Mariam’s hanging body from a flat at the National Assembly Members’ (NAM) Bhaban complex in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Sunday evening.
Police recovered the body from Flat 203 on the third floor of Building 5 of the complex, where Mariam had been staying. She was identified as Gazi Nazrul Islam’s second wife.
After receiving information about the incident, police went to the flat and began examining the circumstances surrounding the death. A forensic team from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was later called to the scene to assist with the investigation and examine relevant evidence.
Police prepared an inquest report before sending Mariam’s body to a hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination. The findings of the examination are expected to form part of the investigation into the circumstances of her death.
Following the recovery of the body, police took Gazi Nazrul Islam and Maksuda Begum into custody for questioning. They were subsequently shown arrested in the case filed by Mariam’s father.
Mariam’s father, Mohammad Masum Billah, filed the abetment of suicide case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station. Three people have been named as accused: Gazi Nazrul Islam, his first wife Maksuda Begum and Obaidullah, identified as the MP’s brother-in-law.
The case alleges that the accused were responsible for circumstances that led to Mariam’s death. However, the allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings. Police have not announced any final conclusion regarding the circumstances that preceded her death.
Investigators are expected to examine the post-mortem findings, forensic evidence collected from the flat and statements from people connected with the incident. These elements could help establish what happened before Mariam was found dead and whether there was any criminal involvement.
The death comes after months of controversy surrounding Gazi Nazrul Islam and Mariam Khatun. In July, several videos described as showing private moments involving the MP and Mariam were circulated on social media, prompting widespread discussion about their relationship.
Following the controversy, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami expelled Gazi Nazrul Islam from the party on 22 July. The party said an organisational investigation had found what it described as moral misconduct and that the decision had been taken under Article 62 of its constitution. The Election Commission was also informed of the decision.
The latest case has brought renewed attention to the events surrounding Mariam’s death. The investigation is now focused on establishing the circumstances in which she died and assessing the allegations brought against the three accused.
As the legal process moves forward, the post-mortem and forensic reports, along with witness statements and other evidence, are expected to guide the next steps in the case. Being shown arrested in the case does not itself establish the allegations against the accused; those claims will have to be tested through the legal process.
