Staff Correspondent:

Cricketer Nasir Hossain and his wife Tamima Sultana Tammi have claimed innocence in a case that accuses them of marrying while Tamima was still legally married to another man.

The couple made the claim during a self-defence hearing on Monday (July 14) at the court of Dhaka’s Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Zakir Hossain.

The court also fixed 11 August for recording defence witness statements.

Confirming the matter, plaintiff’s lawyer Israt Hasan said, “The accused claimed themselves innocent during on Monday hearing. They will now present their defence statements on the next date.”

Both Nasir and Tamima were present in court during the hearing.

Earlier, on 1 July, the court had set 14 July for hearing the statements of the accused under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

However, the defence had requested a deferral, stating that Tamima was unable to appear due to professional obligations. The court accepted the request and rescheduled the hearing.

The case was filed by Tamima’s former husband, Rakib Hasan, on 24 February 2021 with the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court. He alleged that Tamima married Nasir while still being legally married to him.

The case was filed under sections 497, 500, and 34 of the Penal Code, which relate to adultery, defamation, and criminal conspiracy.

On 30 September 2021, Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) Inspector Sheikh Md Mizanur Rahman submitted a report implicating three individuals, including Nasir and Tamima.

Formal charges were framed against Nasir and Tamima on 24 January 2022. Tamima’s mother, Sumi Akter, who was initially named as an accused, was acquitted at that stage.

Testimony in the case concluded on 16 April this year after statements were heard from ten witnesses.