The deceased, identified as Nadia Begum, was found dead at her marital home in Hatikhal village under Gafargaon Union on Wednesday night (21 October). Her family alleges that she was killed following prolonged domestic abuse, possibly linked to dowry demands or family disputes.
Nadia was the daughter of Nazim Uddin, a resident of Bagbari village in Longair Union of Gafargaon upazila.
According to family sources, Nadia married Kawchar Mia, son of Nur Chan of Hatikhal village, in an arranged marriage approximately a year ago. Her relatives claim that she had been subjected to repeated physical and psychological abuse by members of her husband’s family since the early months of their marriage.
Despite the alleged mistreatment, Nadia had continued living with her husband. She reportedly informed her parents about the abuse on several occasions, but they encouraged her to adjust to the circumstances in the hope of preserving her marriage.
Her mother, Moyful Banu, described the events leading up to her daughter’s death, saying that Nadia had spoken to her over the telephone on Wednesday afternoon and expressed her intention to visit her parental home.
“On Wednesday afternoon, Nadia called me and said she would come to our house shortly. At around 8 pm, one of my son-in-law Kawchar’s relatives called to inform us that Nadia had died,” she said.
“We reached her in-laws’ house at around 9 pm and found her body lying there. Although a large crowd had gathered at the house, neither my son-in-law nor any member of his family was present.”
The sudden announcement of Nadia’s death, followed by the reported disappearance of her husband and his relatives, has intensified her family’s suspicions.
Moyful alleged that her daughter had been deliberately killed and demanded a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding her death.
“My daughter was three months pregnant. If she was not murdered, why did my son-in-law and the other family members flee, leaving her body behind? We want justice for this killing,” she said.
The family maintains that Nadia’s reported history of domestic abuse should be examined as part of the investigation. However, the allegations of murder and dowry-related violence have not yet been independently established.
Police have confirmed that an investigation is under way.
Inspector Moshiur Rahman of Gafargaon Police Station said officers visited the scene after receiving information about the incident and recovered Nadia’s body.
The body was initially taken to the police station before being transferred to the morgue of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital on Thursday afternoon (22 October) for a post-mortem examination.
The officer said Nadia’s mother, Moyful Begum, had submitted a formal complaint to the police concerning her daughter’s death.
He explained that the post-mortem findings would be crucial in determining the cause of death and establishing whether any criminal offence had been committed.
Police are also conducting operations to locate and arrest the accused individuals, including Nadia’s husband and members of his family.
The circumstances surrounding Nadia’s final hours remain unclear. Investigators have yet to establish what happened between her afternoon telephone conversation with her mother and the evening call announcing her death.
The reported absence of her husband and his relatives has become a significant concern for the bereaved family, although their disappearance alone does not establish criminal responsibility.
Nadia’s death has also drawn attention to allegations of domestic violence within her marriage, particularly her family’s account that she had repeatedly complained of mistreatment before the incident.
Her relatives are now awaiting the post-mortem report and further police findings, hoping that the investigation will establish how the young expectant mother died and identify anyone responsible.
Police have said efforts to apprehend the accused are continuing, while the precise cause of Nadia’s death remains subject to forensic examination and investigation.
