2 arrested over strangling of 7-month-pregnant housewife

Two men were detained over allegations of strangling a 7-month-pregnant housewife in Gobindganj, Gaibanda.

Allegations have been raised against the husband and in-laws of Shahazadi Begum, 20, a seven-month-pregnant housewife – accusing them of premeditatedly strangling her to death over dowry demands in Gobindaganj.

This barbaric incident occurred on Saturday (September 19) afternoon in the Damodarpur area of Talukkanupur Union.

The deceased, Shahazadi Begum, was the daughter of Shahin Miah from the Rampura (Jadur Bazar) area of Harirampur Union. Her father has filed a murder complaint with the Gobindaganj Police Station regarding the incident.

According to the complaint, Shahazadi married Meheraj Miah, 25, of Damodarpur, Talukkanupur Union, about two years ago.

Since their marriage, her husband and in-laws had subjected her to repeated physical and mental abuse over dowry demands. Shahazadi would endure these mistreatments in silence for the sake of her unborn child and to keep her marriage intact, but it would be all for naught. She was seven months pregnant at the time of her death.

Her family stated that around 2:45 PM on Saturday (September 19), Shahazadi called her father in tears, saying she was ready to leave for her parents' home but her in-laws were preventing her from doing so. Shortly after, the call was disconnected. Two hours later, at 4:45 PM, her husband Meheraj called to say that Shahazadi was "unwell" and unresponsive, and was being taken to the Upazila Health Complex.

Upon receiving the news, her father and relatives rushed to the hospital, where they found Shahazadi’s lifeless body, wrapped in a sheet, lying on the floor of the emergency department. After the attending physician declared her dead, the accused hastily removed the body from the hospital and took it back to their home without the family's knowledge.

Expressing his anguish and outrage, her father, ShahinMiah, said, "My seven-month-pregnant daughter was strangled to death in cold blood without receiving any medical treatment. This was not a natural death; it was a premeditated murder. I demand exemplary punishment—specifically the death penalty—for the killers of my daughter and my unborn grandchild." 

In this regard, Muhammad Mozammel Haque, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Gobindaganj Police Station, stated that upon receiving the information, the body was recovered and sent to the morgue for an autopsy.

 A written complaint has been received; the matter will be investigated, and strict legal action will be taken against those involved.

-    AB/NS/AAH