Woman set afire ‘by in-laws over dowry’

A 25-year-old woman was set on fire allegedly by her in-laws for dowry in Pabna’s Sujanagar upazila early yesterday.

The victim Fazi Akter, of the upazila’s Trimohoni village, told police that she was set ablaze by her in-laws after Sahri on the fateful day.

Obaidul Haque, officer-in-charge of Pabna Sadar Police Station, said Fazi named five people, including her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, for their involvement in the incident.

She gave the statement when a police team visited her at Pabna Medical College Hospital, Obaidul added.

The victim was later shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment.

Fazi, whose husband now lives in Malaysia, was repeatedly tortured by her in-laws for dowry, alleged her brother Shahin Mondol.

The victim previously had multiple feuds with her in-laws over the matter that her husband used to send money from Malaysia to his sister instead of his wife, he added.

Goutam Kumar, senior consultant at Pabna Medical College Hospital, said Fazi suffered 60 percent burns and was in critical condition.

“She would need better treatment to survive,” he said.

Meanwhile, police detained Samena Khatun, 40, sister-in-law of the victim, from her home but rest of the family members went in hiding, said Monirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Aminur Police Station.

A case would be filed in this connection within the shortest possible time, the OC added.