Husband Flees After Pregnant Wife Dies From Poisoning

A tragic incident has unfolded in Rajshahi, where a 21-year-old pregnant woman, identified as Hasina Khatun, died after consuming toxic pesticides. Hasina succumbed during the late hours of Tuesday while undergoing medical treatment at the Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) Hospital. Following the announcement of her death, her husband and several members of his family reportedly fled the hospital premises, leading to a police investigation into allegations of domestic abuse and incitement to suicide.

Hasina was a resident of Andardighi village in the Sapahar sub-district of Naogaon and was the daughter of Hassan Ali. Approximately seven months prior to the incident, she had married Md. Ratul, a resident of Rajabari Mollapara village in the Godagari sub-district of Rajshahi. Family members have confirmed that Hasina was two months pregnant at the time of her death.

Allegations of Jewellery Theft and Flight

According to formal complaints lodged by the victim’s relatives, a disturbing sequence of events occurred immediately following Hasina’s death. Witnesses allege that her husband, Ratul, along with his associates, remained by her side while she was receiving treatment. However, as soon as her passing was confirmed, they reportedly stripped the deceased of her gold jewellery before fleeing the hospital.

At the time of her death, Ratul was accompanied by Hasina’s sister, Laila Khatun, and two of Ratul’s associates. The sudden departure of the husband’s party has intensified suspicions among both the family and local law enforcement.

Systemic Abuse and Financial Coercion

Hasina’s cousin, Robiul Islam, provided insight into the couple’s domestic life, alleging that the marriage was marred by persistent demands for money. Robiul claimed that Ratul was involved in the illicit narcotics trade and was a regular drug user himself. He further alleged that Ratul had been exerting immense pressure on Hasina to procure 100,000 BDT from her father.

Reports suggest that Ratul intended to utilise these funds to expand an illegal trade in Phensedyl, a banned cough syrup frequently trafficked as a narcotic. When Hasina was unable or unwilling to meet these financial demands, she was reportedly subjected to physical and psychological torture. Relatives believe that the cumulative weight of this abuse led Hasina to ingest pesticides on Monday night as a desperate measure.

Medical Timeline and Official Investigation

Following the ingestion of the poison, Hasina was initially rushed to the Premtali Upazila Health Complex. As her clinical condition deteriorated rapidly, she was transferred to the more specialised Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, she passed away late Tuesday night.

Atiqur Rahman, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Godagari Police Station, confirmed that a formal complaint was lodged on Wednesday by Hasina’s sister, Meherunnessa. The police are currently in the process of filing a case under the charge of abetment of suicide.

“We have received the complaint, and the legal process is underway,” OC Rahman stated. “The husband and his relatives have been in hiding since the death was reported. We are conducting raids to apprehend the suspects.”

Post-Mortem Procedures

The body of the deceased has been placed in the hospital mortuary. Authorities have scheduled a formal post-mortem examination for Thursday to determine the exact physiological cause of death and to document any signs of physical trauma that may corroborate the allegations of abuse. Once the autopsy is concluded, the remains will be handed over to her father’s family for burial in her ancestral village.

The Godagari police have appealed to the public for any information regarding the whereabouts of Md. Ratul, as the investigation into the broader circumstances of Hasina Khatun’s death continues. Under Bangladeshi law, inciting a spouse to commit suicide through dowry demands or physical torture is a non-bailable offence carrying significant prison sentences.