Jamaat-e-Islami Activist Jailed Over Ex-Wife’s Contract Killing

A former local activist associated with Jamaat-e-Islami has been remanded into judicial custody after surrendering to a tribunal in Lakshmipur, marking a significant development in a high-profile investigation involving the alleged contract killing of his former wife over a substantial financial dispute.

The suspect, identified as Abu Bakkar Siddique, was formerly a Rukn (a voting member) of the Char Kalkini Union unit of Jamaat-e-Islami in Kamalnagar Upazila. Abu Bakkar surrendered before the Lakshmipur Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal on Monday and formally submitted a bail application. However, presiding Judge Sadequr Rahman rejected the plea following a brief hearing, directing that the accused be immediately transported to prison.

Advocate Amzad Hossain, representing the victim’s family, confirmed that the court refused bail owing to the severity of the charges and Abu Bakkar’s prolonged evasion of law enforcement.

Motive and Financial Intrigue

The investigation, spearheaded by the local police, revealed that the homicide was rooted in financial deception. Abu Bakkar, who had been married multiple times, entered into a secret marriage with Saleha Begum, a widowed mother, while keeping the union concealed from his primary family residing in Char Kalkini.

Initially, Abu Bakkar lived at Saleha’s residence in the Purba Char Martin area, where he tutored her children. According to the case dossier, he gradually gained her confidence and secured a loan of BDT 3,000,000 (approximately £20,000) from her under the pretext of purchasing property.

Rather than buying the land, Abu Bakkar severed ties, issued a divorce, and fled with the money. When Saleha persistently demanded the return of her funds, Abu Bakkar allegedly plotted her assassination to permanently extinguish the debt. Police investigations established that he contracted an accomplice, Mohammad Selim, offering him BDT 50,000 (roughly £350) to execute the crime.

Murder, Investigation, and Surrender

The crime took place on 15 June 2025. On the following day, 16 June, authorities recovered Saleha’s body from the banks of the Meghna River near Motirhat. Her daughter, Fatema Begum, subsequently lodged a murder case against unidentified perpetrators at Kamalnagar Police Station.

A major breakthrough occurred in July 2025 when police detained Mohammad Selim. Under questioning, Selim admitted his role in the operation, revealing in a judicial confession that he had lured Saleha to an isolated spot on Abu Bakkar’s instructions. Selim sexually assaulted and strangled her before stealing her gold ornaments, which he subsequently sold in Savar before going into hiding.

The investigating officer, Md Kamrul Hasan—who currently serves as the Officer-in-Charge of the Netrokona District Detective Branch—noted that despite exhaustive attempts to apprehend Abu Bakkar, the suspect managed to abscond for nearly a year. Police formally submitted the charge sheet on 28 November 2025, naming Abu Bakkar as the principal mastermind. His evasion finally ended with his voluntary surrender in court this week.

Statement from Political Authorities

Commenting on the arrest, A R Hafiz Ullah, Secretary of the Lakshmipur District unit of Jamaat-e-Islami, stated that Abu Bakkar no longer maintains any active role or official title within the political organisation, although he acknowledged his historic involvement. He added that the party deeply regrets the tragic event and the alleged involvement of a former affiliate.