Neil Wilby Media

The tragic murder of Kulsuma Akter in Bradford city centre has brought to light disturbing details about the suspect, Habibur Masum, who was on bail at the time of the incident for allegedly threatening her.

The Press Association has revealed that Masum, 25, had been conditionally bailed in November after being charged with assaulting and threatening to kill Ms. Akter in incidents alleged to have occurred in Manchester. Despite pleading not guilty to both offenses, he was ordered by Manchester Magistrates’ Court not to contact Ms. Akter, along with other stringent bail conditions.

This revelation has raised serious questions about the handling of the case by the authorities. West Yorkshire Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to their previous contact with Ms. Akter, while Greater Manchester Police have also made a similar referral as they had dealings with both Masum and Ms. Akter.

The fatal attack on Ms. Akter, who was with her baby at the time, occurred in the Westgate area of Bradford city centre on Saturday afternoon. Despite efforts by members of the public, ambulance crews, and hospital staff, Ms. Akter succumbed to her injuries, while her baby was unharmed.

In the search for Masum, West Yorkshire Police have conducted a series of raids in Burnley, Oldham, and Chester. Whilst a 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, Masum remains at large. He is believed to have links to Burnley and Chester.

Masum’s background, as revealed by his LinkedIn and Facebook profiles, adds complexity to the case. Having studied marketing and digital marketing at the University of Bedfordshire, Masum hails from Sylhet, Bangladesh, and is currently in the UK on a student visa, later obtaining a post-graduate visa after completing his degree.

As the manhunt for Masum continues, the shocking circumstances surrounding Kulsuma Akter’s death underscore the need for a thorough investigation into the handling of the case and the efficacy of bail conditions in preventing further tragedies.

Page last updated: Tuesday 9th April, 2024 at 0655 hours

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