Bangladesh: man sentenced to death for killing Comilla University student, her mother

A court in Cumilla on Nov. 11, 2026 sentenced a man to death and fined him Tk 3 lakh for raping a Comilla University student and murdering her mother in 2025.

Judge Md Yasir Arafat of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-1 pronounced the verdict.

The court sentenced Md Mobarak Hossain, 29, to death and fined him Tk 2 lakh for raping and murdering Sumaiya Afrin, 23. He was also sentenced to death and fined Tk 1 lakh for murdering her mother Tahmina Begum, 52.

Police Inspector Mohammad Sadekur Rahman of the Cumilla District and Sessions Judge's Court confirmed the verdict.

According to the case statement, Sumaiya and her mother were murdered at their rented house in the Kaliajuri area of Cumilla city on September 7, 2025. Police recovered their bodies the following day.

Sumaiya's brother Tajul Islam filed a murder case with Cumilla Kotwali Model Police Station. Police arrested Mobarak, who gave a confessional statement before a court on September 9, admitting his involvement in the killings.

According to investigation sources, Mobarak became acquainted with the family through his practice of traditional healing rituals and had been visiting their house for around a month before the murders. In his confessional statement, he said he had raped Sumaiya and killed her mother after she witnessed the incident.

Thirteen witnesses testified in the case. Arguments concluded on October 27, and the verdict was initially scheduled for November 5 but deferred to November 11.

Sumaiya's brother Tajul Islam said he wanted the verdict to be implemented without delay.

Sumaiya's classmates also welcomed the verdict. "We are very grateful that the court has handed down the death sentence. We want the verdict to be executed as soon as possible," said her classmate Munia.

Abdul Motaleb Mazumder, additional public prosecutor of the tribunal, said they wanted the verdict to be executed as soon as possible.

Ayesha, the state-appointed defence lawyer, said they had not received justice and would appeal to the higher court.