The case against expelled Jamaat‑e‑Islami MP Gazi Nazrul Islam and his first wife, over allegedly abetting the suicide of his second wife, has been transferred to the Detective Branch of Police for investigation.
Tejgaon Division Deputy Commissioner Ibn Mizan said the case was handed over to DB.
He added that detectives will now carry out further investigation, including questioning Nazrul and his first wife, Maksuda Islam, while they are in remand.
On Monday, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ehsanul Islam’s court granted four days’ remand for Nazrul and one day’s remand for Maksuda. Shamsuddoha Sarkar of Sher‑e‑Bangla Nagar Police Station had sought seven days’ remand for both.
Police said the investigation will focus on whether the accused were at home when Mariam Khatun took her life, whether they directly or indirectly instigated her, and whether she was subjected to mental pressure, intimidation or any other form of assistance leading to suicide.
The role of absconding accused driver Obaidul Islam and whether anyone else was involved will also be examined, police said.
Police arguments in remand hearing
On Monday afternoon, Gazi Nazrul Islam and his first wife Maksuda Islam were produced in court. The remand hearing began shortly after the judge entered the bench.
Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruqui argued in favor of remand, alleging that Mariam had been coerced into marrying Nazrul under influence and inducement, and later taken to residential hotels. He said Nazrul, Mariam, and Maksuda lived together at the NAM building flat, and a handwritten note recovered from the scene mentioned physical and mental abuse. He told the court investigators must also examine whether there was any plan beyond the suicide case.
Defense lawyers, including Mahbubur Rahman, sought bail and cancellation of remand, arguing there was no specific reason for remand, and noting Nazrul’s status as a freedom fighter and four‑time MP. After hearing both sides, the court granted four days’ remand for Nazrul and one day for Maksuda.
Allegations of abuse in the case
Mariam was found dead at a flat in the NAM building in Dhaka on Sunday. Her father filed a case that night accusing Nazrul, Maksuda, and driver Obaidul Islam of abetting suicide.
According to the case, Nazrul phoned Mariam’s father around 5:30pm, asking him to come quickly. On arrival, the door was locked from inside, and Mariam was found dead. Police later broke open the door, recovered the body, and sent it for autopsy at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital.
Mariam’s father alleged that in June, his daughter was compelled to marry Gazi Nazrul. Since then, at the NAM building residence, Nazrul and Maksuda subjected Mariam to physical and mental abuse over various issues. Mariam had shared these matters with her family members, he added.
The family alleged that unable to bear the abuse and mental pressure, Mariam took her own life.
