Mother-in-law held in Sitakunda housewife murder case

Police have arrested a woman in Sitakunda, Chattogram, for her alleged involvement in the murder of housewife Fatema Akhter, who died after suffering severe burn injuries.

The victim's mother-in-law, Sajeda Akhter, was detained shortly after a case was filed by Fatema’s father, Nurul Afsar, at Sitakunda Police Station under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act on Saturday (June 20).

Fatema Akhter’s husband, Muslim Uddin, has also been named as a prime accused in the case. He remains at large, and police say a manhunt is underway to apprehend him.

According to local residents, Fatema had endured prolonged physical and mental abuse by her husband and his family. The violence escalated on June 14 during a domestic altercation, after which she was admitted to the ICU of Chittagong Medical College Hospital with burns covering 60 percent of her body. She succumbed to her injuries on the night of June 18, five days after being hospitalized.

Md. Alamgir, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sitakunda Police Station confirmed the matter. He said, "The arrested Sajeda Akhter would be produced before court on Sunday."

Earlier on Saturday, the victim’s family and local residents held a press conference and formed a human chain, demanding justice and the immediate arrest of Muslim Uddin, whom they accuse of setting Fatema on fire.