A harrowing tale of elder abuse has emerged from Noakhali Sadar Upazila, where a 65-year-old woman, Bibi Khodeja, has been forced into hiding to escape the relentless torture of her own son. The abuse reportedly led to her husband’s death from humiliation and resulted in the elderly woman serving a prison sentence due to her son's fraudulent activities.
The accused, Zakir Hossain (42), is a legal assistant at the Noakhali District Judge's Court. Locals and family members allege that Zakir used his professional knowledge of legal loopholes to harass his parents and five siblings.
According to family sources, Zakir’s exploitation began in 2007 when he took a 4-lakh taka loan from BRAC Bank, naming his mother as a guarantor. He later allegedly forged her signature to secure an additional 6-lakh taka loan. When the loans went unpaid, police arrested Bibi Khodeja on June 8, 2022. She spent 45 days in jail and was only released after selling her husband’s land to settle the debt. Death from "Shame and Grief"
The victim’s husband, Abul Khair, had previously filed a police complaint against Zakir on April 10, 2022, after being publicly assaulted by him. No action was taken. Following the viral spread of a video showing Zakir physically abusing his father, the elderly man suffered a stroke and died on July 27, 2023.
"No mother should ever have a son like this," a tearful Bibi Khodeja said. "His father died prematurely because he couldn't bear the public humiliation. Now, at this age, I am wandering from door to door seeking justice that never comes."
Following her husband's death, Zakir’s aggression intensified. He filed multiple cases against his siblings and continued to threaten his mother, eventually forcing her to flee her home. Since March 2024, Khodeja has been living in a rented house in the Sonapur area with her youngest son, Iqbal.
Zakir Hossain, when questioned, offered a brief admission: "My mother has been misled, and I have made mistakes. I am willing to apologize to her."
The Noakhali District Bar Association has taken note of the situation. General Secretary Advocate Mosharraf Hossain Masud stated, "We have received two written complaints against Zakir. If the allegations of professional misconduct and abuse are proven, his legal assistant license will be revoked."
Noakhali Additional Superintendent of Police, Abu Tayyar Mohammad Arif Hossain, confirmed that detective branch investigations into Zakir’s counter-cases against his family found no merit in his allegations. "We are investigating the mother's complaints and will take necessary legal action," he said.
