Woman tortured with chilli powder rubbed on body in Jhenaidah

A housewife in Jhenaidah has allegedly been tortured after her hair was forcibly cut and chilli powder was rubbed over her body.

The victim, Suchitra Biswas, has filed a case with Jhenaidah Sadar police station, naming five people as accused.

Officer-in-Charge of Jhenaidah Sadar police station Mohammad Asad-Uz-Zaman confirmed that the case had been filed.

The incident reportedly took place on Thursday afternoon in Koratipara village under Naldanga union of Jhenaidah Sadar upazila.

According to the complaint and local sources, Anni Khatun, a resident of the same village, suspected that Suchitra was having an extramarital relationship with Anwar Hossain, who works at the Kaliganj land office.

The complaint alleges that, out of anger over the suspected relationship, Anni went to Suchitra’s house that afternoon with her two daughters, Oni and Koni, her son Shuvo and others. They allegedly assaulted Suchitra, forcibly cut her hair and rubbed chilli powder over her body.

When neighbours rushed to the scene after hearing Suchitra’s screams, the accused allegedly left the house. Suchitra filed the case with the police station later that night.

The accused named in the case are Anni Khatun, also known as Toni Khatun; her two daughters, Oni and Koni; her son, Shuvo; and a neighbour, Abdur Rashid.

Local residents and police sources said the accused had gone into hiding after news of the alleged assault and hair-cutting spread. Attempts to contact them by phone were unsuccessful, and their comments could not be obtained.

OC Asad-Uz-Zaman said a regular case had been filed naming five people. Police were conducting operations to arrest those involved, he said, adding that legal action would be taken following an investigation.