Murderer marries at jail gate

Aftab Uddin Biplob, a convicted murderer and the son of controversial local mayor Abu Taher, was married amid festivity in the Lakshmipur Jail.

Awami League leader Taher was present at the marriage ceremony held on Friday afternoon, as was his other son, Sadar Upazila Chairman AKM Salahuddin Tipu.

The Mahr for this marriage was Tk 1 million.

Jail officials said this was the first marriage ceremony ever to be held in the Lakshmipur Jail.

Jailer Jainul Abedin said the marriage was held at the jail gate after receiving the deputy commissioner's permission.

Biplob was condemned to death for murdering opposition BNP leader Nurul Islam in 2003.

Late President Zillur Rahman awarded clemency to Biplob in July 2011. The convict is now serving a life term.

His new bride is Sanjida Akhter Piu, daughter of Abul Khair, a family member of local Jamaat-e-Islami leader and former MP Shafiqul Islam.

Biplob, 38, is convicted in two other murder cases. Piu is a second-year honours student at the Lakshmipur Government College.

Eyewitnesses said the Lakshmipur jail gate underwent a sudden transformation on Friday afternoon, as Taher's motorcycle-borne supporters took position in front of it.

Local Awami League General Secretary Taher entered with his cronies and the Qazi. The marriage was held there in the evening.

A person, who was present at this ceremony but wishes to remain anonymous, told bdnews24 that the marriage was sealed through phone calls in the presence of the bride's mother. The Mahr was paid right there, in cash. The bride was given 30 bhoris (about 350 grams) of gold ornaments.

After the marriage, the bride was brought to the jail gate in a black microbus around 10:30pm to 11:30pm, and that is where the newly-wed met.

People present said Biplob was wearing a Punjabi instead of his prisoner's uniform.

A prison source said Biplob was also treated to a Holud, a traditional pre-marriage ceremony that involves personal grooming, inside the jail before his marriage.

Taher and the members of his family refused to talk to reporters about the event.

Asked about the incident, jailer Jainal Abedin said, "We brought Biplob to the jail gate because we had permission from the deputy commissioner. His family was there and we took him inside again after the signing of the marriage deeds.

The jailer refused to comment when asked about the meeting between the newlyweds.

Lakshmipur Deputy Commissioner AKM Tipu Sultan did not take calls on his mobile phone.

bdnews24.com Correspondent went to his home but was told that he was 'busy' and would not see anyone.