Man allegedly kills wife after she takes refuge at parents' house from 'torture at in-laws', claims family

A man has reportedly stabbed his wife after failing to take her back from her parents' house in Cox's Bazar's Chakaria, where she was staying after being allegedly tortured by her in-laws.

The incident took place at Majidia Madrasah para at Ward-9 of Chakaria municipality after the Jumma prayers today (17 January), said police.

The deceased was identified as Hafsa Tuhi, 18, daughter of local businessman Abdul Hamid, said Chakaria police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Manjur Bhuiyan.

The suspect, identified as Shawkat Hasan Mehedi, 24, son of Abul Hashem of Ajam Ullah Para at Ward-9 of Fashikhali union.

During the alleged attack, Shawkat also severely injured Tuhi's mother Parveen Akhter, 38.

"We have recovered the body of the deceased and sent it to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital mortuary for an autopsy," said OC Manjur.

He also added that Parveen was sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for treatment. 

"Operation is underway to catch the suspect," said the OC.

According to local sources, Tuhi and Shawkat, an electrician by profession, eloped and got married eight months ago.

However, speaking to The Business Standard, Tuhi's father Hamid alleged that his daughter was "abducted and forced to marry".

"We filed a complaint over that. Afterwards, her husband and other in-laws began to torture her. On 5 December, Tuhi informed me that she could not bear any more of their abuse. I brought her back home from there," said Hamid.

"This morning Shawkat came to take Tuhi back but we did not let him. We said we would let her return if he came back with his other relatives. He then left," he added.

However, Hamid alleged that Shawkat came back after the Jumma prayers and "suddenly stabbed Tuhi and her mother". Then he fled the scene immediately.

"We rushed Tuhi to a local hospital but she was announced dead by doctors on arrival," said Hamid.