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Published : 10 Jun 2026, 10:15 AM
A Dhaka court is set to deliver its verdict in the highly publicised case against cricketer Nasir Hossain and his wife Tamima Sultana Tammi over charges of marrying before legally dissolving her previous marriage.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam will deliver the judgment on Wednesday, deciding whether the couple committed a criminal offense four years after the formal trial process began.
Complainant lawyer Israt Hasan said the prosecution had succeeded in proving the allegations and expected the maximum punishment.
Defence lawyer Azizur Rahman Dulu, however, argued that the accused should be acquitted and voiced hope for a favourable verdict.
According to the case documents, Tamima married Rakib Hasan on Feb 26, 2011. The couple have an 8-year-old daughter.
The complaint alleges that while that marriage remained legally valid, Tamima married Nasir on Feb 14, 2020.
Rakib became aware of the marriage after photographs of Tamima and Nasir's wedding circulated online on Feb 14, 2021.
He later filed the case with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrates’ Court in Dhaka on Feb 24 that year.
On Sept 30, 2021, investigating officer Sheikh Mizanur Rahman submitted a report naming Nasir, Tamima and Tamima's mother Sumi Akter as the accused.
On Feb 9, 2022, the court framed charges against Nasir and Tamima and ordered the trial to begin.
Sumi was discharged from the case.
On Mar 6 that year, defence lawyer Kazi Najibullah Hiru filed a revision petition before the Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court challenging the order framing charges against Nasir and Tamima.
The complainant's lawyer also filed a revision petition challenging the order that discharged Sumi.
Both petitions were rejected on Feb 28, 2023, removing legal obstacles to the trial.
The trial formally began on Mar 20 that year with the testimony of complainant Rakib.
The recording of evidence concluded on Apr 16, 2025. The court heard testimony from 10 witnesses in total.
The suspects gave statements in their defence on Mar 10, maintaining their innocence and seeking justice.
On Mar 30, former Saudia Airlines cabin crew member Tamima testified in her own defence.
She told the court that she had legally divorced Rakib because of “marital and psychological incompatibility” before marrying Nasir.
The trial began after charges were framed against Nasir under Sections 497 and 498 of the Penal Code and against Tamima under Sections 494, 468 and 471.
Lawyer Israt said Nasir could face a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, while Tamima could face up to 21 years if all charges are proven.
"We want justice to be established through punishment of the accused. We filed the case placing our trust in the court. They challenged different issues before the High Court, but the outcome did not go in their favour.
“We were able to prove the allegations through 10 witnesses," she told bdnews24.com.
She said maximum punishment would help establish justice and send a message to society.
According to her, such punishment would discourage similar conduct in the future and reduce incidents involving married partners being taken away from their spouses.
Defence lawyer Dulu said he remained optimistic about the outcome.
"We hope the suspects will be acquitted. We have explained in our arguments why they should be cleared of the charges."
In response to a question, he said if the complainant's side was trying to influence the verdict through a media campaign, it could amount to contempt of court.
He also alleged that the complainant had referred to legal provisions under which charges were not framed against the accused.
"In Sha Allah, they will be acquitted," he said.
Complainant Rakib said he hoped justice would prevail.
He said the verdict should send a message so that no one else has to go through a similar experience.
Attempts to reach Nasir for comment were unsuccessful.
What Each Charge Carries
Nasir faces charges under Sections 497 and 498 of the Penal Code.
Section 497 relates to adultery. A conviction carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine, or both.
Section 498 concerns enticing, taking away or unlawfully detaining a married woman for a criminal purpose.
Conviction may result in imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both.
Tamima faces charges under Sections 494, 468 and 471.
Section 494 criminalises marrying again while a spouse is alive and a valid marriage remains in force.
Conviction carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and may also include a fine.
Section 468 deals with forgery committed for the purpose of cheating.
The allegation against Tamima is that she created forged documents and a false divorce notice without legally divorcing Rakib.
Conviction carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and a fine.
Under Section 471, a person commits an offence by fraudulently or dishonestly using a forged document as genuine while knowing, or having reason to believe, that it is forged.
Conviction under this provision also carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
