Dhaka Court Sentences Man to Death for 2017 Spousal Murder
A Dhaka court sentenced Monir Hossain to death on Tuesday for the murder of his wife, Shakir Khatun Soma, in the capital’s Middle Badda area nearly nine years ago. Judge Mohammad Sadekin Habib of the Sixth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Court also imposed a fine of 100,000 taka as part of the verdict.
The defendant was brought to the courtroom from prison for the sentencing and was returned to custody immediately afterward, according to court officials. Prosecutor Mohammad Habibur Rahman expressed satisfaction with the ruling, noting that the judgment brings closure to a long-standing legal battle surrounding a high-profile case.
The tragedy dates back to 2003, when the couple married. According to court records, the relationship deteriorated as Monir and his family began subjecting Soma to persistent physical and psychological abuse, demanding money for business ventures. Despite receiving 11 lakh taka from Soma’s family, the harassment continued, leading to a temporary separation in early 2017.
Although Soma eventually returned home following assurances from her husband, the abuse did not cease. On October 6, 2017, a heated argument over money culminated in violence when Monir used a knife to slash his wife’s throat. Neighbors who heard her cries rushed to the scene and transported her to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared her dead.
Soma’s mother, Akter Banu, filed a murder case at the Badda Police Station on the day of the incident, leading to Monir's subsequent arrest and his eventual confession to the court. Following an investigation, police filed a charge sheet on December 7, 2017, and the trial formally commenced on May 17, 2018. Over the course of the proceedings, the court heard testimony from 15 of the 20 listed witnesses.
Monir had been released on bail for a significant portion of the trial; however, the court revoked his bail and ordered him to prison on July 14 after concluding arguments in the case.
