A critical investigation is currently underway in Rajshahi following the death of a 21-year-old pregnant woman, Hasina Khatun, who succumbed to the effects of pesticide poisoning. Hasina passed away during the late hours of Tuesday, 5 May, while receiving emergency treatment at Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) Hospital. The case has sparked significant outrage following allegations that her husband, Md. Ratul, removed her gold jewellery before abandoning her body at the hospital and fleeing with his associates.
Hasina, the daughter of Hassan Ali from Andardighi village in Naogaon’s Sapahar sub-district, had been married to Ratul for approximately seven months. The couple resided in Rajabari Mollapara village in the Godagari sub-district of Rajshahi. Family members have confirmed that the deceased was two months pregnant at the time of her death.
Table of Contents
Alleged Theft and Flight from Medical Facilities
The circumstances surrounding the victim’s final moments have drawn intense scrutiny from law enforcement. According to formal complaints, Ratul and several associates, including two of his friends and Hasina’s sister, Laila Khatun, were present at the hospital as Hasina’s condition worsened.
Witnesses and relatives allege that immediately after hospital staff confirmed her death, Ratul and his companions systematically stripped the gold ornaments from the victim’s body. Rather than completing the necessary medical or administrative formalities, the group vanished from the hospital premises. The sudden disappearance of the husband and his relatives has been interpreted by the authorities as an admission of culpability.
Narcotics Links and Systematic Domestic Abuse
Robiul Islam, the victim’s cousin, has provided detailed testimony regarding the couple’s volatile marriage. He alleged that Ratul was a habitual drug user and was actively involved in the illicit trade of Phensedyl, a prohibited codeine-based syrup.
According to the family, the domestic friction was primarily driven by financial coercion. It is alleged that:
Ratul demanded 100,000 BDT from Hasina’s father to fund his narcotics business.
Hasina was subjected to regular physical and psychological torture for failing to secure the funds.
The severity of the abuse reached a breaking point on Monday night, prompting the victim to ingest toxic pesticides in an act of desperation.
The Timeline of Medical Intervention
Following the poisoning incident on Monday night, Hasina was first transported to the Premtali Upazila Health Complex. Due to the critical nature of her symptoms, she was subsequently referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Despite intensive medical intervention, her physiological systems failed, and she was pronounced dead on Tuesday night.
Atiqur Rahman, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Godagari Police Station, confirmed that the victim’s other sister, Meherunnessa, filed a formal complaint on Wednesday, 6 May. The police are currently finalising a case for abetment of suicide, a severe criminal charge under the penal code.
Status of the Criminal Investigation
The body of the deceased has been moved to the hospital mortuary. A formal post-mortem examination is scheduled for Thursday, 7 May, to verify the cause of death and identify any physical signs of trauma related to the alleged domestic violence.
“We are treating this as a case of abetment of suicide and are investigating the theft of the victim’s property,” stated OC Atiqur Rahman. “The husband and his family members have gone into hiding. We are conducting coordinated raids across the district to ensure their immediate arrest.”
Once the autopsy is concluded, the remains will be returned to Hasina’s family for burial in Sapahar. Under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, those found guilty of inciting suicide through torture or dowry demands face life imprisonment or the death penalty, depending on the severity of the findings.