Photo: Collected
A court has sentenced husband Md Atikul Islam to death in a case over brutally beating his wife to death in Lalmonirhat. At the same time, he has been fined Tk 20,000, in default of which he will have to serve six more months of simple imprisonment. In the verdict, the accused was found guilty and an order was given to execute the death sentence by hanging him by the neck.
Lalmonirhat District and Sessions Judge Md Haider Ali pronounced the verdict at around 11:30am on Tuesday. The accused was present when the verdict was pronounced.
According to the case details and the first information report, Mst Mitu Akter was married about two years ago to Atikul Islam, son of the late Habibur Rahman of the Gokunda Darar Par Munshitari area in Gokunda union under Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station. They have a five-month-old daughter. Since the marriage, Atikul had been subjecting Mitu to physical and mental torture over various family matters.
On the night of 20 September 2023, following a family quarrel, Atikul hurled abuse at Mitu in unspeakable language. Later, when he wanted to go to Pabna for work, Mitu obstructed him. Enraged by this, Atikul first punched and hit Mitu on the head and face. He then beat her mercilessly on different parts of her body with a hard plastic pipe that was in the courtyard of the house. Mitu Akter died on the spot from the severe injuries. Atikul then fled from the house.
The next day, on the morning of 21 September, neighbours came forward on hearing the cries of Mitu’s infant child Atika Akter and saw Mitu’s body lying on the bed. On receiving the news, Mitu’s father Md Islam filed a murder case as plaintiff with Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station. After the investigation, police submitted a charge sheet against Atikul. Later, on 4 July 2024, charges were framed against the accused in the trial court. After recording the testimonies of a total of 17 witnesses, the court delivered the verdict today.
Expressing satisfaction with the verdict, state counsel (APP) Advocate Samsul Alam Milon said the court has ensured justice by reviewing the evidence and documents. A stern message will go to criminals through this verdict. The death sentence of the accused will be executed subject to the approval of the High Court Division under section 374 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The convicted accused will get the opportunity to appeal against the verdict to the High Court Division within the next seven days. The plaintiff’s side has also expressed satisfaction with the verdict.
