Police recovered the body of a 21-year-old housewife, Sumaiya Akhter Mitu, from a rented flat in Bhola’s Ukil Para on Thursday afternoon. Following the discovery, her husband and in-laws fled, prompting her family to allege murder.
Officers found Sumaiya's body on a bed in a fifth-floor apartment at around 1:15 p.m. Thursday. The body has been sent to the 250-bed Bhola General Hospital morgue for an autopsy.
Sumaiya, a resident of Daulatkhan Upazila, married glass merchant Sohag five years ago. The couple, who were both in their second marriages, have a three-year-old daughter. According to Sumaiya's family, she faced continuous physical and mental abuse from Sohag and his family. Despite previous interventions by the Bhola Sadar Model Police Station and attempts at family compromises, the abuse allegedly continued.
On Wednesday night, Sumaiya reportedly sent a voice message to her sister, claiming her husband had beaten her severely. On Thursday morning, Sohag called Sumaiya’s family, asking them to come to the apartment quickly. Upon arriving, they found the door open, the husband’s family gone, and Sumaiya dead on the bed.
Sumaiya’s father, Md. Bashir, accused Sohag of a planned murder. He claimed he had given Sohag between 20 to 30 lakh taka for his business to ensure his daughter's happiness, yet the abuse persisted. Bashir also alleged that Sohag’s first wife died under similar circumstances, and demanded a thorough investigation and trial.
Police Inspector (Investigation) Md. Ziauddin of the Bhola Sadar Model Police Station confirmed the recovery of the body. "The exact cause of death will be clear once we receive the autopsy report," he said. "The family has not yet filed a formal case, but once a complaint is lodged, we will take strict legal action against anyone involved following an investigation."
