Woman forms human chain demanding trial of lover with child's body

A woman in Jhalakati did not get paternity recognition for her child despite many attempts. On the contrary, after losing her 13-month-old daughter, the aggrieved mother took to the streets with the body of her infant child demanding trial of the accused lover.

A human chain was held on a road in Purba Bhautita village of Sadar upazila on Monday (March 23) afternoon. The child's mother, Lia Moni Akhter, her family and locals were present there. The deceased child's name is Jasmine.

Lia Moni said that in 2021, she developed a relationship with Hridoy Bepari of Purba Bhautita village. At one stage, she became pregnant. On February 16, 2025, she gave birth to a daughter at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barisal. Hridoy, her maternal uncle and maternal grandfather were present at the time of birth. After that, three days later, Hridoy and his family members cleverly took the newborn and ran away and left it on the side of the road. A beggar rescued the child and sent her to a children's home.

Three months after the incident, Lia Moni and her family learned about the child's condition. On March 9 this year, the child was brought home sick and the next day she was admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barisal. The child died on Monday morning while undergoing treatment.

Earlier, on March 9, the child's mother filed a case with Jhalakati Sadar Police Station on charges of rape against three people, including Hridoy Bepari. The accused Hridoy Bepari is absconding.

On the other hand, Hridoy's father Abul Bepari denied the allegations and said, 'This incident is completely false.'

Jhalakati Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Imtiaz Ahmed said that a case has been filed on charges of rape. The accused are absconding, and efforts are underway to arrest them.