Photographer and Parents Face Murder Charges After Woman’s Studio Death
A 24-year-old woman was found dead in a Dhaka studio on June 14. Her family has now filed a murder case. They accuse photographer Namim Ashraf, 37, of confining, raping, and murdering her. Namim’s parents, Md Ashraf Uddin and Shahnaz Begum, are also named. They are accused in this new case.
The woman was a makeup artist. She had a romantic relationship with Namim Ashraf. They met two years ago. Their families were discussing marriage. Her body was recovered from Namim’s studio in Adabor.
On Monday, the woman’s elder sister filed the new case. This was with the Dhaka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-5. Judge Md Moniruzzaman recorded her statement. He ordered the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police to investigate. The DB must submit a report by September 10.
Namim Ashraf was arrested on June 15. This was in connection with the woman’s death. Her elder brother had filed an earlier case. That case accused Namim of helping her commit suicide. Namim has been in jail for the past two weeks.
The new complaint gives more details. It states Namim promised to marry the woman but kept delaying it. This caused problems between their families. The complaint says Namim called her to his studio on June 10. He then forced her to tell her family she was staying at a friend’s house.
The woman was allegedly held at the studio from June 10 to June 14. During this time, she was raped many times. Then, she was murdered.
Police officers arrived at the studio on June 14. They found the woman lying dead on the floor. An investigating officer said there were no clear signs of physical harm. This was visible on her body. However, there was a mark around her neck.
Namim and a female friend told police they found the studio door locked. They broke it open with help from others. They said they found the woman hanging from the ceiling. Police initially believed it was suicide. The exact cause of death is still waiting for the post-mortem report.
The woman’s sister rejected the idea of suicide. She said her sister left home on June 10. She spoke to her twice by phone. Her sister claimed to be with a friend. The family went to the studio on June 14 and found her body. The sister stated that initial police actions were not helpful. She filed the new case to get justice for her sister’s murder.
