Photographer Charged Following Tragic Death of Young Dhaka Makeup Artist

A formal legal complaint has been lodged against a local photographer and his parents in connection with the alleged four-day unlawful confinement, sexual assault, and subsequent murder of a 24-year-old makeup artist in the Adabor area of the Bangladeshi capital.

On Monday, 27 July, the victim’s elder sister, Razia Sultana, filed the petition before Judge Md Moniruzzaman at the Dhaka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-5. Following the recording of the plaintiff’s statement, the court directed the Detective Branch (DB) of Police to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations and submit a detailed findings report by 10 September.

Key Individuals Named in the Legal Complaint

The legal action targets three primary accused parties from the same family:

• Namin Ashraf Moni (37): The main accused, a professional photographer operating a studio in Adabor.

• Ashrafuddin: The father of the primary accused.

• Shahnaz Begum: The mother of the primary accused.

Timeline of Events and Allegations

According to court filings, the victim, identified as Sadia Yasfia (24), worked as a professional makeup artist within the media sector. She first encountered Namin Ashraf during a production shoot in 2024. Over time, frequent professional collaborations brought them together, eventually evolving into a close romantic relationship. Both families were reportedly aware of the courtship and subsequent discussions regarding marriage.

The relationship severely deteriorated in early June. On 6 June, members of the victim’s family, including her elder sister and brother, formally visited the residence of the accused in the Dhalkanagar Lane area of Gendaria to propose a formal matrimonial alliance. However, the parents of the main accused rejected the proposal outright and issued stern threats against pursuing any further marital arrangements.

The prosecution petition alleges that on the night of 10 June, Namin summoned Sadia to his personal photo studio, situated on the second floor of a building on Road 12, Shekhertek, in Adabor. Under duress, Sadia was instructed to inform her family that she was staying at a female friend’s residence.

Between 10 June and 14 June, Namin allegedly held the victim against her will inside the premises, subjecting her to continuous physical violence and sexual assault before murdering her on 14 June. In an effort to evade criminal liability, the accused subsequently attempted to stage the fatality as a suicide.

However, the plaintiff stated that the preliminary inquest report prepared by the police documented clear evidence of physical injuries and signs consistent with sexual assault across the victim’s body. Taking these findings into consideration, the tribunal officially took cognizance of the case, initiating formal investigative proceedings to establish the full facts surrounding the tragedy.