S M Joherul Islam, Sreepur (Gazipur) 

 

 

In Sreepur upazila of Gazipur, a father-in-law and brother-in-law were arrested and sent to jail following a dowry and domestic abuse case filed by the daughter-in-law, Sheela Akter. They were detained from Nijmaona village of Maona Union around 3 AM on Thursday night based on the complaint. The arrested individuals are Jane Alam (50), son of late Azmat Ali, and his younger son Rafique (26), both residents of Nijmaona village.According to the case details, seven months ago, Sheela Khatun, daughter of late A. Samad from Khasbarer Boyra village of Bhuapur upazila in Tangail, married Shafique (30), elder son of Jane Alam. At the time of marriage, the bride's family provided Tk 200,000 in cash, furniture, and gold ornaments worth Tk 400,000. However, soon after the wedding, Sheela was subjected to both mental and physical abuse over additional dowry demands.On February 25, Sheela was reportedly beaten and locked in a room. Upon receiving the information, her elder brother Musa Sheikh, with the help of Sreepur police, rescued her and admitted her to a hospital for treatment. Later, on April 18, Sheela filed a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act at the Sreepur Police Station.The case names four accused: Shafique, his father Jane Alam, mother Sufia (45), and younger brother Rafique. Among them, Jane Alam and Rafique have been arrested.Several local residents claimed that both Shafique and Rafique are known in the area for drug use and bad behavior. Shafique reportedly has a history of multiple marriages and has abused previous wives over dowry demands. His treatment of Sheela was described as cruel and inhumane.Shahab Uddin, a resident of Nijmaona, said, “I personally witnessed Shafique beating his wife. His father Jane Alam and brother Rafique dragged her by the hair right in front of us.”Regarding the incident, Sreepur Model Police Station OC Zainal Abedin Mandal said, “Two accused named in the case have been arrested and sent to court. Efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects.”