Rupganj (Narayanganj) Correspondent

A 30-year-old housewife, Shahera Akter Kajol, from Rupganj in Narayanganj, has allegedly been tortured and killed by being forced to consume poison in Savar, Dhaka.

Kajol died at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in Dhaka at around 11:00pm on Wednesday while doctors were attempting to save her after she was brought there in a critical condition. Her body was kept at the hospital for autopsy, according to family members.

Kajol was the daughter of Kabir Hossain of Narsinghal area under Tarabo municipality in Rupganj. She leaves behind a one-and-a-half-month-old baby boy.

According to Kajol’s aunt Yasmin, Kajol married Anik, son of Uzzal Mia of Savar, about two years ago after a love relationship. About a year after the marriage, her husband, father-in-law and mother-in-law allegedly began torturing her over dowry.

As Kajol had married against her family’s wishes, she reportedly did not disclose the extent of the alleged abuse to her parents. When she became pregnant, her family brought her back to her parental home about eight months ago. She gave birth to a baby boy around one and a half months ago.

Yasmin alleged that Kajol’s father-in-law Uzzal Mia and husband Anik went to her parental home last Friday and took her to Savar, reportedly against her will.

On Wednesday morning, Kajol was allegedly beaten, resulting in a fracture to one of her hands, and was then forced to consume poison. Instead of taking her immediately to a hospital, the family allegedly kept her at a local pharmacy named Zubayer Pharmacy, delaying proper medical treatment.

Later, Kajol’s family was informed that she had consumed poison. Her mother and brother Ibrahim reached Savar at around 3:00pm. When they asked about Kajol, they were allegedly not allowed to see her and were told that she had gone somewhere for work.

At around 6:00pm, after repeated requests, Kajol’s mother and brother were taken to Zubayer Pharmacy, where they found her unconscious. She was then taken to a local private hospital, where doctors advised the family to immediately transfer her to Dhaka.

Kajol was taken to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital at around 9:00pm. Despite attempts by doctors to save her, she died at around 11:00pm.

The family said they would take legal action over the alleged torture and death. Kajol’s aunt Yasmin demanded a proper investigation and justice for the deceased.