In a bizarre turn of events that has gripped the residents of Sarishabari, a volatile dispute broke out on Tuesday afternoon between two men, both of whom claimed the same woman as their lawful wife. The altercation occurred in the busy Jagannathganj Puratan Ghat Bazar area under the Auna Union, drawing a significant crowd and necessitating police intervention to prevent a breach of the peace.
The Rival Claims
The woman at the centre of the controversy, Sharmin Akhtar, was intercepted by local residents alongside her two claimants: Atiqul Hasan Russell, a local trader, and Liaqat Shikdar, a former volunteer wing leader and clinic owner.
Russell, a shopkeeper from Char Pogaldigha, presented a narrative of betrayal. He claims that after marrying Sharmin and financing her education to become a pathologist, she entered into an extramarital affair with Liaqat Shikdar, the proprietor of Jonosheba Hospital and Diagnostic Centre. According to Russell, Sharmin abandoned their young daughter to marry Liaqat, only to return to Russell later, claiming abuse. He states he accepted her back for the sake of their child, only for Liaqat to lure her away once more under the guise of employment.
Conversely, Liaqat Shikdar maintains that the union is entirely legal. He asserts that Sharmin formally divorced Russell before marrying him. The couple had reportedly been living in a rented house in the Jagannathganj area for the past two and a half months. However, local sentiment appears wary of Liaqat, who allegedly has a history of involvement in similar domestic scandals.
Comparative Summary of the Dispute
| Feature | Claimant: Atiqul Hasan Russell | Claimant: Liaqat Shikdar |
| Profession | Stationery Trader (Monohari) | Hospital Owner / Politician |
| Claim Basis | Original marriage; reconciliation | Divorce from first husband; new marriage |
| Evidence Cited | Paternal rights of their daughter | 2.5 months of cohabitation in rented flat |
| Status | Claims wife was coerced/lured | Claims legal Nikahnama exists |
Legal Intervention and Police Custody
As the verbal spat escalated into a physical confrontation on the streets, locals detained all three individuals to prevent further unrest. Upon arrival, the Sarishabari Police took the trio into custody to initiate a formal investigation into their marital statuses.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) Bachchu Miah confirmed that the situation had created a substantial stir in the community. “We have taken all three into station custody to ensure their safety and to verify the conflicting claims,” he stated. The authorities are currently scrutinising the Nikahnama (marriage contract) and Talaknama (divorce papers) presented by both parties. The police have indicated that once the documentation is verified, the woman will be handed over to her legally recognised husband, and any fraudulent claims may result in criminal charges.