Did cricketer Nasir and Tamima commit a crime by marrying? Court to decide Jun 10

A Dhaka court will deliver its verdict in a case filed against cricketer Nasir Hossain and his wife Tamima Sultana Tammi over allegedly remarrying before she was legally divorced from her previous husband on Jun 10.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Dhaka's Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam fixed the date for the verdict on Wednesday.

The plaintiff's lawyer Israt Hasan said closing arguments were to be presented at the hearing.

She presented arguments for the plaintiff, claimed that the charges against the accused had been “proven” and requested the maximum sentence.

Advocate Azizur Rahman Dulu presented arguments on behalf of Nasir and Advocate Mosleh Uddin Jasim on behalf of Tamima.

They claimed that the charges were “not proven” and sought the couple’s acquittal.

Nasir and Tamima stood in the dock for the entire hearing. After presenting arguments, the court fixed the date for the verdict.

According to the case dossier, Tamima married Rakib on Feb 26, 2011. They have an 8-year-old daughter. However, Tamima married Nasir on Feb 14, 2020, without legally ending her previous marriage.

The issue came to light on Feb 14, 2021, when a photo of Nasir and Tamima’s wedding went viral online. Rakib filed the case on Feb 24 with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka.

On Sept 30, 2021, investigation officer Sheikh Mizanur Rahman submitted a report to the court implicating three people.

On Feb 9, 2022, the court framed charges against Nasir and Tamima, officially starting the trial. Nasir’s mother-in-law, Sumi Akhter, was exempted.

Later, on Mar 6, their lawyer, Kazi Najibullah Hiru, filed a revision petition challenging the charges in the Metropolitan Sessions Court.

The plaintiff’s lawyer Ishrat Hasan also filed a revision against the exemption of Sumi.

Both petitions were rejected on Feb 28, 2023, clearing the way for the trial to proceed.

The court began recording witness testimony on Mar 20, 2023, starting with the plaintiff, Rakib.

Testimony concluded on Apr 16 after statements from 10 witnesses.

Tamima, a former flight attendant of Saudi Airlines, testified in her own defence on Mar 30.

She claimed that she divorced her previous husband Rakib because they were “not maritally and mentally compatible” and legally married cricketer Nasir.