Tanveer Iqbal: Body-in-the-boot murder accused denies killing for sake of honour
A man accused of murdering a shopkeeper and helping to hide his body in a car boot has denied he committed the crime to protect the reputation of his family.
Gul Nawaz, aged 45, is on trial for the murder of Smethwick businessman Tanveer Iqbal, who was found inside his car on Portland Road, Edgbaston, on February 1.
He is on trial for murder, along with his ex-wife Zatoon Bibi, and a 16-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons.
All deny the charge.
Nawaz, of Roway Lane, Oldbury, claims he woke up on January 31 to find Bibi dragging a TV box with the 33-year-old's body inside, saying he had been blackmailing her.
Nawaz and Bibi, of Bridgeburn Road, Bartley Green, were divorced, but had kept it a secret to keep up appearances, Birmingham Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Sally Howes QC questioned Nawaz over whether he had previously been told about the blackmail.
"She told you that he was threatening to expose this sham family in front of the community to spite her. Wasn't that what made you step up and realise that he had to be silenced," said Ms Howes.
In response Nawaz said: "Nobody spoke to me about this."
Nawaz and Bibi had four children together, but she then had two more with Mr Iqbal.
On discovering the fifth child was not his, Nawaz divorced his wife by saying 'talaq' three times, in accordance with Islamic custom.
Ms Howes added: "Having lived the lie of a happy family for so many years, you could not bear the idea of the shame for you, but most importantly the children you love so much."
"There was nothing like that," Mr Nawaz responded.
Ms Howes asked about products bought that day from Poundland in Oldbury, including heavy duty rope, which he said was for a washing line at Bibi's request.
"In a shop like Poundland if you wanted a washing line you could have bought one," she said.
Mr Nawaz said: "She told me not to buy that type and buy the rope." The trial continues.
