Allegation of divorce and torture of wife due to extramarital affair in Naogaon

Nuruzzaman Liton, District Representative, Naogaon

Amina Begum, 25, of Patnitala in Naogaon district has been accused of torturing a housewife by blocking her in-laws' house for three months. It has also been alleged that the housewife's mother went to the police station to seek redressal of the grievance.

The housewife's mother Laili Begum said, "My daughter has been kept under house arrest." I went to the police station to lodge a complaint. But it has been returned without complaint. I demand a fair trial.

Officer-in-charge (OC) of Patnitala Police Station Shamsul Alam Shah said no written complaint was lodged against the family. The housewife was sent to the scene by two policemen based on her mother's verbal allegations that she had been tortured. However, legal action will be taken if a written complaint is received.

Amina Begum's husband's name is Farooq Islam Fensi (45). They have two children Farhana Finni (5) and Faria Akhter Rakhi (2). Fancy Brunei Expatriate. He sent people abroad in exchange for money. Their home is in Harirampur Paschimpara of Nazipur municipality of the upazila.

The abused housewife said, I have two daughters. Apart from that, I brought so much money from my parents and gave it to my husband. Involved in foreign affairs, in the mind of the family, it is not possible to divorce me sitting abroad. When my husband comes to the country, we will talk about all these. But I am being held captive and tortured.

According to the victim's family and local sources, Amina Begum, daughter of Lutfar Rahman of Bani village of Akbarpur union of Patnitala upazila, married Farooq, son of late Abdul Hai of Bheram Sonadighi village of Alampur union of Dhamairhat upazila eight years ago. Her father gave her two lakh rupees as dowry at the time of marriage for her daughter's happiness. After two years of marriage, Farooq took his wife Amina to Brunei. After being taken there, Farooq tortured his wife.

Meanwhile, Farooq took various unemployed people from his area to Brunei saying that he would provide employment. Many of those who left, were deceived and returned to the country.

A few years ago, Farooq bought land at Harirampur Paschimpara in Patnitala Upazila's Nazipur Municipality and built a four-storey building there. He lives there with his wife. At this time two children Farhana Finni and Faria Akhter Rakhi were born. Mother-in-law Laili Begum and sister-in-law lived with them.

The last time Farooq came to the country was three years ago and he took one person abroad a year ago. On this occasion the man formed a friendship with his wife. The affair started with that woman on the mobile number. From then on, unrest started between husband and wife. At one point, Farooq divorced his wife via mobile from abroad.

Sources further said that Farooq has been bringing his mother to his house for the last three months. His mother kept the main door of the house locked all the time. Amina can not get out of the house. Her child is not able to go to school properly. They are not even being fed properly.

Last Monday (March 26) the eldest daughter Farhana Finni will go to school, so the mother-in-law is asked to open the door. On the contrary, mother-in-law, Nandu Mintu, Parag, Badul, Sagar and manager Belal beat Amina. The nose ruptured and blood came out. He was not even allowed to take treatment.

The upazila chairman had earlier held an arbitration meeting on the issue. It was decided to pay 12,000 rupees per month for food and clothing and education of the girls. But the housewife's mother Laili Begum said that they were given only five thousand rupees in three months.

Laili Begum further said that the girl will be taken to Brunei, for which she spent 60 thousand rupees and got her visa and passport. The son-in-law requested me to stay with his daughter. After looking at his daughter, he sold our land and gave it to Farooq for around Tk 29 lakh. He bought land in Nazipur city and spent it on building a house. I was with my daughter for four years. My mother-in-law and relatives have been torturing my daughter for three months. My daughter has been placed under house arrest.

Victim Amina Begum said, "Since my husband became involved in foreign affairs, there has been unrest in the family." A few days ago, while my husband was living abroad, he forcibly brought Nipa to my house with his manager Belal. When I protested about this, my in-laws tortured me. I called the police but no action was taken. I am worried about my life.

Regarding divorce, Amina said, I have two daughters. Apart from that, I brought so much money from my parents and gave it to my husband. Involved in foreign affairs, in the mind of the family, it is not possible to divorce me sitting abroad. When my husband comes to the country, we will talk about all these. But why am I being held captive and tortured.

However, Amina Begum's mother-in-law Fatema Begum denied the allegations, saying the boy lives abroad. According to the boy, I have been living in his house for three months. The boy's wife was not tortured in any way. Instead, I was beaten by the son's wife. Besides, my son is not involved in adultery with any other girl.

Asked why the main door of the house was locked, grandchildren were not allowed to go to school and food was not provided, he said the boy was not allowed to open the door all the time. The granddaughter goes to school regularly. And how do they survive so long without food?