Inquest into death of woman killed by husband adjourned

Kulsuma Akter was pronounced dead at the scene in Bradford on 6 April 2024

A coroner has adjourned an inquest into the death of Kulsuma Akter, who was murdered by her husband while pushing their baby in Bradford.

Habibur Masum was jailed for a minimum of 28 years earlier this month after he was found guilty of murdering his 27-year-old wife. He stabbed her 26 times in the city centre in April last year.

Assistant coroner Peter Merchant said on Wednesday that the inquest into the "horrific and tragic circumstances" would be adjourned until 28 January 2026.

The court is awaiting a domestic homicide review, a report which aims to identify lessons learned and improve the response to domestic abuse to prevent future tragedies, which is expected by the end of the year.

The inquest into her death was opened in April last year, but was not able to resume until after criminal proceedings had finished.

Bradford Crown Court heard during the trial of 27-year-old Masum that Ms Akter had been living at a refuge since January after he held a knife to her throat at their home in Oldham.

Habibur Masum had denied murder but was found guilty by a jury

Following sentencing, Marie Walsh from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "Habibur Masum is a violent and dangerous man who subjected his estranged wife to violence and domestic abuse causing her to flee their home to live in a safehouse in Bradford.

"Unable to accept the relationship was over, he managed to track her down and then stabbed her multiple times."

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