In a harrowing incident that has raised serious human rights concerns, a three-month pregnant woman was found alive in a forested area near the Barisal-Bhola highway. Her hands and feet were tied, and her body wrapped in polythene, bearing burn injuries believed to be caused by acid or another corrosive substance.
The victim, 23-year-old Woman Maria Akhter, is the wife of a businessman based in Bhola. She resides in the Dapdapia Gasturbine area of Barisal city. The police rescued the woman early Sunday morning (June 29) from the Talukdarhat area under Barisal Sadar’s Bandar Police Station and admitted her to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH).
Rescue and Medical Response
According to local witnesses, a group of shopkeepers discovered an unconscious woman’s body wrapped in polythene while on their way to open their businesses at dawn. Upon closer inspection, they found the woman alive but with her hands and feet bound by rope and visible burn injuries on various parts of her body.
Police from Bandar Station were immediately notified and rushed to the scene. The woman was promptly taken to the One-Stop Crisis Center (OCC) at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital. Hospital doctors confirmed she had sustained multiple burn injuries, likely caused by a corrosive substance. While they have not confirmed if it was acid, her condition is reported as stable and not life-threatening.
Allegations and Background
While undergoing treatment, Maria gave her account to journalists. She stated that her husband, Moshiur Rahman, divorced his first wife and married her about a year ago. Since then, she claims, her husband’s ex-wife, Soma Akhter, and her brother Hasibur Rahman have been harassing them continuously.
On a previous occasion, the former in-laws allegedly assaulted the couple and handed them over to police during a visit to Bhola, resulting in a still-pending legal case.
Maria said she left her father’s house in Barisal on Saturday evening to travel to Bhola to join her husband. After reaching the Laharhat ferry terminal and failing to find transportation, she was returning to Barisal when a group of three to four people intercepted her. She identified her husband’s former wife and her brother among the attackers. She was allegedly taken to an unknown location where she was beaten throughout the night. She also claims she was force-fed pills intended to cause a miscarriage, and her belly was kicked to harm her unborn child. Additionally, a flammable or corrosive substance was poured on her hands and feet, causing severe burns.
She lost consciousness and was later abandoned on the roadside, where locals found her and informed the police.
Family Statement
Maria’s mother, Monuja Begum, said she became worried after learning her daughter never reached Bhola. She and her son began searching for Maria early the next morning. While searching near the ferry area, they received a call from police and rushed to the scene, where they found Maria in a dire condition.
Monuja stated that her daughter identified her husband’s former wife and her brother as part of the group who tortured her. She added that they are preparing to file a formal police complaint.
Maria’s brother also confirmed that they found their sister at the hospital after hearing the news, but the family is still unclear about all the details surrounding the incident.
Maria’s husband, Moshiur Rahman, told journalists that he had previously divorced his first wife due to marital discord and later married Maria. Since then, his ex-wife, her brother Hasibur, and other family members have continuously harassed him and filed cases against him. After Maria’s pregnancy was confirmed, tensions reportedly escalated.
He said he asked Maria to come to Bhola on Saturday, and she initially declined due to illness but later agreed and left with her mother. Her mother dropped her off at Laharhat terminal and returned to Barisal. When Maria failed to arrive, and her phone remained switched off from the afternoon onward, the family began searching for her.
Authorities’ Response
Bandar Police Station’s Inspector (Investigation) Delwar Hossain stated that police responded promptly after being informed by locals. He confirmed that the woman had visible blistering injuries on her limbs, likely from a corrosive substance. However, he noted that the injuries were not severe. As of now, no formal complaint has been filed, but legal action will be taken if a case is registered.
Sub-Inspector Sirajul Islam of Bandar Station added that woman’s eyes and mouth were also bound when she was found. Burn injuries were visible in at least three locations on her body.
Hospital Officials’ Remarks
Deputy Director of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, SM Moniruzzaman, confirmed that the woman is currently in stable condition and receiving treatment at the OCC. Hospital authorities have yet to determine the exact nature of the substance that caused the burns.
Publication Date: 30 June, 2025
Reports published in various newspapers on this issue: banglatribune, dailyjanakantha, kalerkantho, bd-pratidin, ittefaq, prothomalo, samakal
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