Chawkbazar trader Nazrul killed over ‘false marriage promise’, police say after suspect's arrest

A woman named Sabina killed Nazrul after he refused to employ or marry her despite developing a romantic relationship, police say

Police have arrested a woman named Sabina Akter from her home over the murder of plastic trader Nazrul Islam in Old Dhaka's Chawkbazar.

The victim and Sabina met a month ago after he promised her a job, police said. The trader was killed after he refused to employ her as promised and also did not marry her despite the two developing an extramarital romantic relationship, law enforcers added.

Earlier on Wednesday, police recovered the mutilated body of Nazrul from his home in a neighbourhood of Old Dhaka's Chawkbazar with his hands, legs and mouth bound, and genitals severed from the body.

Police seized sharp knives, broken parts of a flower vase and other evidence from the crime scene. Nazrul's brother Tahidul Islam Taposh filed a murder case with the Chawkbazar Model Police Station over the killing.

During their investigation, police analysed CCTV footage and identified 25-year-old Sabina Akter. She was arrested from Mirzapur Madhyapara in Jashore.

"Sabina confessed that she killed Nazrul. We recovered two mobile phones belonging to Nazrul from her possession," Lalbagh Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Jashimuddin said at a press briefing on Sunday.

"A month before the incident occurred, Sabina was introduced to Nazrul through another man. She was seeking a job. At one point, they became engaged in an extramarital relationship."

As his wife and children were not at home, Nazrul called Sabina on Dec 2. That day, they had an altercation over his promises of a job and marriage. Around 5am, Sabina hit Nazrul with a pestle on his head and face. She also smothered his face with a pillow, the deputy commissioner said.

"When Nazrul lost his strength, Sabina tied his hands, legs and mouth, and cut off his genitals with a sharp knife to ensure his death," he said.

Per information from Sabina, police recovered the blood-stained pestle and the burkha she wore on the day of the incident, he said.