A mosque imam in Bakerganj, Barishal, has been accused of living with a married woman for nearly seven months without marrying her. The pair were reportedly detained by local residents and relatives of the woman’s husband before police arrived and took them into their care. They were later released to their respective families after signing written undertakings, according to police.
The incident took place on Wednesday, 7 October, in Dariyal Union of Bakerganj Upazila, Barishal district.
The imam, identified as Abdullah Tuhin, is the son of Abdul Kashem and comes from Mostofapur village in Neelganj Union of Kalapara Upazila, Patuakhali. He was serving as the imam of Banglabazar Jame Mosque in Dariyal Union at the time of the incident.
According to local sources, Tuhin married a woman from a neighbouring village around five years ago. Later, while working as an imam at a mosque in Majidpur village in Patuakhali, he reportedly developed a close relationship with a woman who lived in a house near the mosque.
The woman was also married. Local accounts suggest that she eventually left her husband and household to live with Tuhin.
The pair reportedly moved to Dariyal Union around seven months ago. After taking up his position at Banglabazar Jame Mosque, Tuhin allegedly rented a house next to the mosque and began living there with the woman.
Their living arrangements eventually came to the attention of local residents and relatives of the woman’s husband. The group reportedly detained the pair and informed the police.
Police officers subsequently arrived at the scene and took the two individuals into their care. The incident drew attention locally because of the allegations surrounding the relationship and the fact that both individuals were reportedly married to other people.
Bakerganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Adil Hossain confirmed that officers had responded to the information they received. He said the pair were released into the custody of their respective families after signing written undertakings, as no one had lodged a complaint.
Tuhin’s response to the allegations was not available at the time of reporting. The claims concerning the relationship and the circumstances in which the pair began living together are based on accounts from local sources and have not been independently established.
The initial report did not provide further details about any formal case or subsequent investigation. Police said the pair were handed over to their families after the undertakings were obtained.
