Life Sentences for Wife and Accomplice in Murder Case

In a case that has gripped Dhaka for nearly six years, a court has sentenced a woman and her close accomplice to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of her third husband. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday, 18 February, by the 10th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge of Dhaka, Mohammad Shahidul Islam.

The convicted are Shilpi Begum, the wife of the deceased, and Fahim Pathan, a close friend of Shilpi Begum’s son. Each has also been fined BDT 10,000, with an additional year of imprisonment stipulated in the event of non-payment, according to the court’s bench assistant, Farukul Islam Dewan.

During the sentencing, Fahim Pathan was presented in court from prison. He was subsequently remanded back to custody following the verdict. Shilpi Begum, however, remains at large, prompting the issuance of arrest and sentencing warrants against her.

Background of the Case

The crime came to light on 15 September 2020 when police recovered the body of Sohel Howlader, also known as Sohel, in a decomposed and mutilated state from the Mid-Basila area of Hazaribagh, Dhaka. Initially, the case was filed against unknown individuals by SI Saiful Islam of Hazaribagh Police Station.

Investigations revealed that the murder was orchestrated by Shilpi Begum, her son Sizan Mahmud, and Fahim Pathan. Due to his minor status at the time (17 years old), Sizan is being tried separately in juvenile court. The charges against Shilpi Begum and Fahim Pathan were formally filed on 24 July 2022 by Inspector Humayun Kabir.

Motive and Method

According to the charge sheet, Sohel, Shilpi Begum’s third husband, resided with Shilpi and her son in Hazaribagh. Sizan, who referred to Sohel as “uncle,” had limited interaction with him due to domestic abuse. Sohel had allegedly physically assaulted Sizan and his mother, prompting Sizan to temporarily move to Bagerhat with his biological father.

Conflicts over money and a promised government job escalated tensions. On 13 September 2020, Shilpi allegedly drugged Sohel’s beverage with sleeping pills. Later that evening, Sizan and Fahim returned home, tied Sohel’s legs, gagged him with a towel, pressed a pillow over his face, and ultimately stabbed him in the neck, resulting in his death.

Judicial Proceedings

The trial commenced on 5 April 2023. During the proceedings, the court heard testimony from twelve witnesses, followed by the defendants’ final statements and legal arguments. Today’s verdict concluded the lengthy trial, handing down life sentences to both convicted individuals.

Case Summary Table

This verdict marks a significant conclusion to a case that exposed domestic violence, betrayal, and premeditated murder within a family setting in Dhaka.