Hunger strike demanding recognition of wife, abortion allegations
A pregnant woman who was staying at her husband’s house in Faridpur’s Sadarpur upazila was beaten up demanding recognition. A complaint has been filed with Sadarpur police station against 10 people, including her husband, in this incident.
The incident took place last Saturday (July 11) at around 12 noon in Amir Khar Dangi village of Bhasanchar union of the upazila. The victim, Bithi Akhter (28), is a resident of Barodoali village of Shibchar upazila of Madaripur. According to the complaint filed with the police station, Shahin Sheikh (35), son of Ukil Uddin Sheikh of Bhasanchar area, married his first wife about 7 months ago, keeping the identity of his wife a secret. A few months after the marriage, he took her to Qatar.
They returned to the country together about 3 months ago. Shahin rented houses in different parts of Dhaka instead of taking Bithi to his own house. Then, when Bithi was ready to have a child, he left her and ran away. Later, even after getting pregnant, she did not get the status of a wife and went to her husband’s house with the help of locals on July 10.
The complaint further states that on the morning of July 11, the accused pressured her to leave the house. When she did not agree, she was beaten up. At one point, Shahin’s uncle Panju Sheikh kicked her in the stomach. She was seriously injured and when she started bleeding, she was taken to Sadarpur Upazila Health Complex with the help of locals. Later, when Bithi’s condition deteriorated, she was sent to Faridpur Medical College Hospital. It is alleged that her unborn child died while undergoing treatment there.
In this incident, the victim Bithi Akhter has filed a case accusing 10 people including her husband and four/five other unidentified persons. When we spoke to accused Shahin in this regard, he could not be found at home and his mobile number was also switched off.
Sadarpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdullah Al Mamun Shah said that the complaint has been received. The matter will be investigated and legal action will be taken.
