Woman 'tied to tree, beaten' for shooting video of coconut, pomelo theft in Cumilla

A widow was allegedly beaten for shooting a video of coconut and pomelo theft in Cumilla's Nangalkot on 14 September.

"The victim Khaleda Begum, wife of the late Dulal Mia from Daulkhand village, initially admitted to Nangalkot Upazila Health Complex, was later transferred to Cumilla Medical College Hospital as her condition worsened," Nangalkot Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) AKM Fazlul Haq told The Business Standard today (20 September).

"In connection with the incident, Khaleda's daughters filed a complaint against their neighbour Joynal Foraezi, his brother Mizan, Jamal, his son-in-law Abdul Kudus, nephew Mehedi Hasan and four women of the village.

"Later, the complaint was taken as a case today. The case also accused six unidentified people.

"Action will be taken against those responsible," the OC added.

Cumilla Medical College Hospital's Casualty Department doctors said the victim has sustained numerous injuries all over her body and will require a long time to fully recover.

While receiving treatment at the hospital, Khaleda told TBS that, on 14 September, she caught her neighbour, Joynal Foraezi, and his relatives stealing fruits from her trees.

When Khaleda attempted to shoot a video of the theft, 10-15 people including Joynal's relatives beat her and tied her to a coconut tree, she alleged.

"At one point, Joynal's son-in-law Abdul Kudus repeatedly stabbed me in the neck with a knife, saying, 'We will face a case anyway, kill her'. They also snatched my mobile phone.

"Then, I lost my consciousness," she added.

The victim claimed that since her husband's death 11 years ago, Joynal has been harassing her in various ways.

However, denying the allegation, Joynal said, "I was not involved in the incident. I only heard about a quarrel between women at Khaleda's house."