What the case statement alleges against MP Gazi Nazrul

A case has been filed against Satkhira-4 MP Gazi Nazrul Islam, his first wife Maksuda Begum and Mariyam Khatun’s maternal uncle Obaidur Rahman over the death of his second wife, with her father accusing them of abetting her suicide.

Mariyam, 19, was found hanging at a flat in Building 5 of NAM Bhaban in Dhaka on Sunday. Her father, Masum Billah, filed the case later that night alleging that his daughter had been subjected to physical and mental abuse after her marriage to Gazi Nazrul.

According to the case statement, Mariyam married Gazi Nazrul in June allegedly at the “direct instigation” of her maternal uncle Obaidur Rahman. After the marriage, she lived with Gazi Nazrul and his first wife, Maksuda Begum, at Flat 203 of Building 5, located opposite the Parliament complex.

Masum Billah alleged in the statement that Mariyam had told her family that she was subjected to physical and mental abuse by Gazi Nazrul and Maksuda over various issues after the marriage. The case statement says Gazi Nazrul called Masum by phone at around 5:30pm on Sunday and asked him to come to the residence quickly. Upon arriving, Masum allegedly found his daughter hanging by the neck.

The statement further claims that Masum found handwritten notes on Mariyam’s bed after her body was recovered.

One of the notes reportedly said: “I repeatedly bowed before you because I was blinded by affection. Otherwise, I am not as cheap as you think I am.”

Another note reportedly read: “I entered the battle with you with complete trust. I could not win and lost on the battlefield. How could I win? At the very end of the battle, I found that you were the commander of the opposing army.”

A third note reportedly contained a reference to Gazi Nazrul’s existing marriage. It allegedly said: “He was another woman’s husband. On paper, she had the rights as his wife. And I was foolish. I made someone else’s husband the man I wanted.”

Another line reportedly said: “Losing someone is more dignified than having half of someone. Because love is never something to be shared. Love is either complete or incomplete.”

The allegations in the case statement have not been established in court. Police have not yet concluded whether Mariyam’s death was a suicide or homicide, and the investigation, including forensic examination and post-mortem procedures, is ongoing. Gazi Nazrul and the other accused have not yet publicly responded to the allegations contained in the case statement.