Expatriate Mutilated in Noakhali Following Dispute With Aunt-in-Law

A 24-year-old expatriate worker returning from Oman was severely mutilated at his ancestral home in Chatkhil Upazila, Noakhali, late on Wednesday night, 22 July. The victim, Jewel, suffered a violent attack allegedly carried out by his widowed aunt-in-law, who fled the scene immediately after the incident.

The horrific attack took place in the Maryadpara village of Khilpara Union around 2:00 am. Jewel, son of Kamal Hossain, had returned to Bangladesh just a month prior after living in Oman for eight years. Local sources indicate that following the death of Jewel’s uncle, Monir Hossain, eighteen months ago, an illicit affair allegedly developed between Jewel and his uncle’s widow. Neighbors claimed Jewel had promised to marry her, but tensions erupted on Wednesday when news surfaced that his family had arranged his marriage elsewhere.

Outraged by the revelation, the aunt allegedly lured Jewel into her bedroom during the night and used a pair of scissors to sever his genitals. Hearing his agonized screams, family members rushed to the room and found him bleeding profusely on the floor.

Jewel was rushed to Chatkhil Government Hospital for emergency medical care. Doctors administered preliminary treatment before transferring him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital due to the critical nature of his injuries.

Speaking from his hospital bed in Dhaka on Thursday morning, Jewel strongly denied any consensual relationship with his aunt. He claimed he had stepped outside his home late at night to use the bathroom when his aunt forcibly dragged him into her room and locked the door. According to Jewel, she demanded that he marry her, and upon his refusal, offered him a glass of water. Moments after drinking it, he felt disoriented before she suddenly attacked him with scissors.

Following the assault, the accused woman absconded, and repeated attempts to reach her via mobile phone have been unsuccessful as her device remains switched off.

Confirming the incident on Thursday afternoon, Chatkhil Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Abdul Monnaf stated that a relative of the victim had verbally informed the police. Law enforcement officers have requested the family to lodge a formal written complaint to initiate official criminal proceedings.