Housewife tortured for 'dowry' hospitalised

A newly married housewife was tortured by her mother in-law and other members of the family, allegedly for dowry, at Karnapur village under Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila on Monday evening.

The victim was admitted to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital.

"My hands were tied, and I was tortured by my mother in-law Sakhina Begum. My husband, father in-law and three other members of the family were present but they didn't protest or try to save me," the victim said at the hospital at noon yesterday. "I was tortured as my parents didn't pay the due money after four months of marriage," she added.

The victim, Nurjahan Akhter, 20, is daughter of Noor Islam of Purbo Bhelabari village in Aditmari upazila of the district.

Nurjahan was married to Nabirul Islam, 28, son of Jasimuddin of Karnapur village in Mogholhat union of Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, four months ago. The bridegroom and his family members demanded Tk 1,50,000 as dowry, but the bride's family paid only Tk 15,000.

"The bridegroom and his family members demanded the rest of the amount but I didn't respond to them as they arranged the marriage ceremony willingly after choosing our daughter Nurjahan," said Noor Islam. "It was not possible to pay the dowry demanded, and it is not possible at present as I'm a day labourer living hand to mouth," he added.

"After one month of our marriage, I became victim of torturing over the due money. My husband, his parents and other members of the family tortured me physically and mentally every day, but I tolerated it as I know my parents are poor," Nurjahan said. "I wanted to go my parents' house but my mother in-law didn't allow me," she added.

Contacted over mobile phone, Nabirul Islam said his wife was tortured as she tried to divide the family, but she was not tortured for dowry. "My mother got angry when she was attacked by my wife," he said.

Noor-e-Ferdousi, the on-duty doctor in Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital, said Nurjahan was tortured physically, and she is now under treatment at the hospital.