Second Wife Sentenced to Life for Husband’s Murder

A court in Mymensingh has sentenced a man’s second wife to life imprisonment for his murder in 2019, bringing an end to a case that had remained under judicial consideration for several years.

Afroza Sheikh Iti was also fined Tk 50,000. If she fails to pay the fine, she will have to serve an additional six months of rigorous imprisonment.

Judge Farhana Ferdous of the Special Sessions Court in Mymensingh delivered the verdict at noon on Wednesday (29 July).

The case centred on the death of Shafiqul Islam Shapu, who was found dead in a pond in the Akua Habun Bepari area of Mymensingh city in June 2019. According to the case details, Shapu had been married to Mahmuda Akter Jhumur, and the couple had a son. They lived in the city’s Bashbari Colony.

Later, Shapu developed a relationship with Afroza Sheikh Iti and subsequently married her. After the second marriage, Shapu began living separately with Iti. However, he continued to maintain contact with his first wife and their child, occasionally visiting them during the daytime.

According to the prosecution case, Iti objected to Shapu’s continued communication with his first wife. She allegedly threatened him over the matter. Tensions reportedly intensified after Shapu brought his mother, Jhumur, and his son to stay at his residence. Iti allegedly wanted Jhumur to leave the house, leading to repeated disagreements between the couple.

The situation reportedly escalated on the evening of 10 June 2019, when Shapu and Iti had an argument over his having eaten at his mother’s home. Shapu went missing following the dispute. Iti subsequently filed a general diary with Kotwali Police Station, reporting his disappearance.

Three days later, on 13 June, police recovered Shapu’s body from beneath water hyacinths in a stagnant pond near the Habun Bepari area of Akua Morolpara, not far from Iti’s residence.

Following the recovery, Shapu’s mother, Nurunnahar, filed a murder case with Kotwali Police Station the same day. Afroza Sheikh Iti and her brother, Din Islam, were named as defendants. Police later arrested Iti in connection with the case.

During the trial, the court examined the evidence presented by the prosecution and heard testimony from witnesses. Lawyers representing both sides also presented their arguments before the court.

After completing the judicial proceedings, the court found Iti guilty of the murder and sentenced her to life imprisonment, along with the fine. However, the court acquitted her brother Din Islam, ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges against him.

The verdict marks the conclusion of a case stemming from a death that occurred more than six years ago. For the victim’s family, the ruling brings a significant development in their long pursuit of justice, while the acquittal of the second accused reflects the court’s finding that the evidence against him was insufficient to establish his guilt.