A young housewife was brutally killed allegedly by her husband and in-laws over dowry-related dispute at Sunagar village in Sadar upazila of the district on Sunday night.
The victim was identified as Zakia Begum, 24, wife of Hasan Kha of Sunagar and daughter of late Abdul Motaleb Sheikh of Sontulia village of Rampal upazila.
Being informed, Sadar police on Monday morning recovered the body which bore several injury marks.
They said Hasan killed his wife on Sunday night and hung the body with a tree to make it appear that she committed suicide.
The law enforcers also arrested Hasan’s mother and sister in connection with the killing.
However, the killer husband went into hiding following the incident.
Zaheda Begum, victim’s mother, said they married Zakia off to Hasan, son of one Mohammad Kha of Sunagar nearly five years back.
After the marriage, Hasan, a cosmetic vendor by profession, used to torture his wife for dowry.
Unable to bear the torture, the young girl returned to her father’s house 8 to 10 times.
Later, Zaheda gave Hasan Tk 30,000 in phases considering about her daughter’s happiness.
But, Hasan found the amount inadequate and continued torture on her innocent daughter.
Even, two years after the marriage, he married another girl and divorced her (his second wife).
About one and a half months back, Hasan put pressure on Zakia’s family to meet his dowry demand through selling lands.
Failing to realise the demand, Hasan severely beat up his wife.
Following the incident, Zakia, along with her two and a half years old son, returned to her father’ residence in Sontulia village.
On Sunday, Hasan went to his in-laws house, regretted for his past acts and brought back Zakia to his house.
On the fateful night, Hasan along with his other house members killed Zakia by pressing her throat with an iron rod with the legs tied fast with rope.
Zaheda demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment to the killers of her daughter.
Process was underway to file a case in this connection. -UNB, Bagerhat
