Husband jailed for provoking RU student to commit suicide

The husband of Rajshahi University student Wahida Sifat was sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment for provoking his wife to commit suicide in March 2015. 

Judge Sayeed Ahmed of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-3 in Dhaka handed down the verdict in presence of the convict, Md Asif.

The court acquitted Asif’s parents Md Hossain Ramjan and Najmul Nahar Najmi and Dr Jubaidur Rahman, assistant Prof Forensic department of Rajshahi Medical College, as the charge brought against them were not proven.

It also rebuked four investigation officers for their failure to unearth the facts of the case.

While delivering the verdict, Judge Ahmed said prosecution has failed to prove the charges of torturing and killing Sifat for dowry.

Sifat, who was a student of Journalism and Mass Communication department, was found dead at her in-laws’ house in Mahishbathan area of Rajshahi city on March 29, 2015.

Victim’s uncle Mizanur Rahman filed a murder the case with Rajpara Police Station accusing Sifat’s husband Md Asif, father-in-law Md Hossain Ramjan and mother-in-law Nazmun Nahar Najli bringing allegation of torturing and killing Sifat for dowry.

Police later pressed charges against the trio and also included the name of Dr Jubaidur Rahman, assistant professor of Rajshahi Medical College’s forensic department, bringing allegation of preparing “false” autopsy report.

The case was later handed over to the Speedy Trial Tribunal which began the trial proceedings on November 11 last year.

The couple, Sifat and Asif, has a two-and-half-year-old son.