First wife of Sylhet’s Tablighi Jamaat leader confesses to his murder, police say

Fateha Mashruka, first wife of Sylhet's Tablighi Jamaat leader Amir Abu Khalil, has confessed to killing her husband following marital discord, police say.

“Fateha has admitted to killing her husband due to insecurity over his multiple marriages, for not giving his family time because of his occupation with Tablighi and distribution of property,” Sylhet’s Kotwali police OC Sohel Ahmad told bdnews24.com on Tuesday.

Police have also recovered a rail-track bar and a knife from the residence based on her testimony.

The policeman continued that they would be taking Mashruka to court on Tuesday to record her statement under section 164.

The 55-year-old Khalil was found murdered under his bed in his residence near the city’s Charadighir Parh around 10am on Monday. A pillow covered his face.

His son Sajid Uddin, 16, told the police that Khalil,  a local Amir (chief) of Sylhet’s Tablighi Jamaat, had returned from a 40-day devotional trip to India three days back.

The family informed the police that the laptop and gold jewellery were missing from the room.

According to Sajid Uddin, Ibrahim went to sleep after having dinner on Sunday night.  In the morning, they found the room open and his body was on the floor.

Following the discovery, police grilled Mashruka and Sajid.

The Kotwali OC said Mashruka admitted to the killing and said there was serious problem between her and Khalil because of his multiple marriages. She asked him to distribute his property to ensure security of their children. But Khalil avoided her.

“They went to sleep in separate rooms. Fateha said she went to his room and hit her sleeping husband on the head with the bar. When he tried to struggle, she stabbed him thrice. Then she tied him up and slaughtered him with the knife.”

She remained in the house after the murder and claimed she carried it out herself.