Police in Chandina, Cumilla, have recovered the body of a 25-year-old housewife who was allegedly tortured to death by her husband, sparking outrage in the local community and triggering a manhunt for the absconding suspect.

The deceased, identified as Vrishti, hailed from Tamta village in the neighbouring Daudkandi upazila. The incident occurred at her marital residence in Nazirpur East Village, situated under Chandina upazila. The suspect, Sumon, is the son of Mona Mia from the same locality.

According to local residents and neighbours, Vrishti had been subjected to severe domestic abuse over a prolonged period. Eyewitnesses and community members—including Sajib, Saiful Islam, and Giasuddin—reported that the victim endured intense physical assault continuously for seven days leading up to her tragic demise.

The violence escalated dramatically on Saturday, 17 October. Witnesses recounted seeing Sumon beating his wife severely before wrapping a scarf (orna) around her neck and dragging her along the pond bank towards their residence. As Vrishti’s physical condition deteriorated sharply following the assault, attempts were made to take her to a medical facility later that evening.

Neighbours Saleka and Joynob Bibi stated that Sumon returned home in a rickshaw with an unresponsive Vrishti at around 9:00 pm. When the local women rushed to assist and lower her from the vehicle, they found no signs of life or movement, suggesting she had already succumbed to her injuries. Upon realising her condition, Sumon reportedly cried out and fled the scene under the cover of darkness. Shortly afterwards, other members of the suspect’s family also deserted the homestead to evade law enforcement.

Upon receiving information on Sunday morning, a team from Chandina Police Station arrived at the location around 10:30 am and retrieved the body from Sumon’s residence.

Nuruzzaman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chandina Police Station, confirmed the recovery of the body and stated that it had been dispatched to the Cumilla Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy to ascertain the exact cause of death. He added that the victim’s family is in the process of filing a formal murder case, and police drives are underway to apprehend the fleeing suspect and ensure a thorough investigation into the crime.