STATEMENT: JMBF Demands Justice for the Brutal Murder of Transgender Woman Mangali alias Poly in Jessore

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deepest sorrow and strongest condemnation of the horrific murder of Mangali alias Poly, a 35-year-old transgender woman in Machna Mahalpara in Jessore, Bangladesh, by her boyfriend on June 28, 2024.

JMBF demands justice for Poly and calls upon the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure that the perpetrator is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The swift arrest and confession of Babu Hossain must be followed by a thorough investigation and a fair trial to bring justice to Poly and her family.

According to news published in various Bangladeshi media outlets, JMBF learned that on June 28, 2024, early Friday morning, a transgender woman named Mangali alias Poly (35) was brutally killed by her boyfriend, Babu Hossain, by slitting her throat in the Manirampur police station area of Jessore district. The police recovered her body from Machna Mahalpara of Khanpur Union in the upazila around 8 PM the same day. The deceased, Mangali alias Poly (35), was the daughter of the late Khalek Gazi from Machna Gazipara village in the same district.

On June 29, 2024, Detective Branch (DB) police arrested Babu Hossain (26) from Kamalpur village in the municipal area. He confessed to the murder, and the police recovered the sharp weapon used in the crime. In this incident, the victim's brother filed a case at Manirampur police station.

Earlier, Poly had bought land and built a house in the neighboring Satnal-Machna village where she lived alone. Allegedly, Babu had been having an affair with Mangali for a long time. On the afternoon of June 27, 2024, Mangali called Babu several times on his mobile phone, asking him to come to her home in Satnal-Machna village. Babu arrived at Mangali's house around 9 PM, and they spent time together.

Around 3 AM on June 28, when Babu wanted to return to his home in Kamalpur, Mangali stopped him and pressured him to marry her. When Babu refused, he struck Mangali at least 10-12 times on the neck and other parts of her body with a chopper, killing her. After confirming her death, Babu took 2200 BDT in cash and a gold earring from the deceased. He then climbed onto the roof of the house, jumped over the wall, and ran away.

On the day after the incident, Friday night, the locals reported to the police after not getting any response from Mangali. The police recovered Mangali's bloodied body from the stairwell of the house and sent it to the morgue for a post-mortem.

JMBF Founder President Advocate Shahanur Islam states that Poly’s murder is not an isolated incident but a tragic reminder of the broader pattern of violence and discrimination faced by the transgender and other sexual and gender identity expression minority communities in Bangladesh and around the world.

JMBF urges the Bangladeshi government to take immediate and concrete steps to protect transgender individuals and to promote tolerance and equality. This includes implementing comprehensive policies to prevent violence, ensuring access to justice, and promoting awareness and acceptance of transgender rights.

JMBF stands in solidarity with Poly’s family, friends, and the entire transgender community in Bangladesh during this difficult time. JMBF reaffirms its commitment to fighting for justice and equality for all, regardless of gender identity. JMBF will continue to advocate for the rights of transgender individuals and to demand an end to the violence and discrimination they face.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) calls on all individuals, national and international organizations, and governments to join in condemning this heinous act and in working towards a society where everyone can live free from fear and violence.

Thank you all,

Advocate Shahanur Islam  

Founder President  

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)

email: shahanur.islam@jmbf.org

============================================================ Advocate Shahanur Islam | An Young, Ascendant, Dedicated Human Rights Defender, Lawyer and Blogger from Bangladesh, Fighting for Ensuring Human Rights, Rule of Law, Good Governance, Peace and Social Justice For the Victim of Torture, Extra Judicial Killing, Force Disappearance, Trafficking in Persons including Ethnic, Religious, Sexual and Social Minority People.