Woman kept in chain over dowry

Eight years ago, Ripon Gazi, a destitute father, married off his daughter Tania. However, she faced continuous abuse from her husband, Sohel Rana, and his family. Under pressure, Ripon was forced to pay dowry in three installments, amounting to 1,30,000 Taka. Despite this, the demands for more money and the abuse did not stop.

Most recently, Tania was subjected to inhumane treatment, being chained by her legs and locked up for two days. Upon learning of the situation, Ripon Gazi rushed to his daughter's aid and found her in chains. When he confronted his son-in-law, Sohel Rana not only assaulted him but also detained him.
The incident occurred in Badedihi village of Kaliganj Upazila, Jhenaidah.

Police intervened after being informed, rescuing both father and daughter. On Tuesday (January 7) afternoon, Ripon Gazi filed a case with Kaliganj Police Station against three individuals. That very night, the police arrested Tania’s mother-in-law, Mahmuda Khatun, and sister-in-law, Rumi Khatun. However, Sohel Rana, the prime accused, remains at large.

Ripon Gazi and his abused daughter, Tania Khatun, have demanded justice and punishment for her dowry-seeking husband and his family members.

Tania Khatun said, “Since my marriage, my husband and his family have been torturing me for dowry. Despite being poor, my father paid them money several times to ensure my well-being. Yet, they continued to abuse me. On Monday morning (January 6), my mother-in-law, husband, and sister-in-law beat me up, chained my legs, and locked me in a room. When my father came to ask why they were torturing me, they assaulted him as well. After reporting the incident to the police, they rescued us around noon.”

Ripon Gazi said, “Tania’s younger daughter is only three months old. Even in such a situation, her greedy husband, Sohel, and his family continued torturing her for dowry. Although I gave them a significant amount of money, their behavior did not change. On Monday morning, they demanded more money from Tania. When she refused, they beat her up, chained her legs, and locked her in a room. When I went to their house the next morning after hearing about the situation, they assaulted me too. We were saved only because the police arrived.”

Kaliganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shahidul Islam said, “Housewife Tania was rescued with her legs chained, and her father, Ripon Gazi, was found injured and bleeding. They were sent to the hospital for treatment. Two people have been arrested in connection with the case filed by Tania’s father. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the prime accused.”