A Dhaka court on Monday granted four days’ remand to Satkhira-4 MP Gazi Nazrul Islam and one day to his first wife, Maksuda Islam, in a case filed over allegations of abetting the suicide of his second wife, Mariam.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ehsanul Islam passed the order after police sought seven days’ remand for both accused for questioning.
Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station Sub-Inspector Md Shamsujjoha Sarkar, also the investigation officer in the case, produced Nazrul, 75, and Maksuda, 65, before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court at around 2:20pm.
Police said they sought remand to determine whether Nazrul and Maksuda, who were reportedly present at the residence when Mariam was found hanging, had instigated, pressured or assisted her in taking her own life.
Investigators also cited the need to trace co-accused Md Obaidur Rahman, 38, who is reportedly absconding, identify any other accomplices and establish the circumstances surrounding Mariam’s death.
Mariam was found hanging at a residence in NAM Bhaban in Dhaka on Sunday. Later, her father, SM Masum Billah, filed the case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station against Nazrul, Maksuda and Obaidur, accusing them of abetting her suicide.
According to the case statement, Mariam had allegedly informed family members by phone on several occasions about physical and mental abuse she claimed to have faced from her husband and his first wife over various issues following her marriage.
The complaint states that Mariam married Nazrul under Islamic law in June. Nazrul, his first wife Maksuda and Mariam reportedly lived together in Flat 203 on the second floor of Building 5 of NAM Bhaban on Manik Mia Avenue, opposite the Parliament complex.
Mariam’s father also alleged that Obaidur had encouraged her marriage to Nazrul.
He claimed that the alleged physical and mental abuse by Nazrul and Maksuda, along with the alleged instigation of the accused, led Mariam to take her own life.
The allegations are part of the case filed by Mariam’s father and remain subject to investigation.
