Judicial Tussle as Two Men Claim One Wife

A profound sense of bewilderment and public tension gripped the Jagannathganj Old Ghat Market area in Sarishabari, Jamalpur, on Tuesday afternoon. The cause of the unrest was an extraordinary and public confrontation between two men, both of whom adamantly claimed the same woman as their legally wedded spouse. The ensuing altercation became so heated that local residents intervened, detaining all three individuals before handing them over to the authorities.

A Complex Web of Allegations

The woman at the centre of this marital dispute is Sharmin Akhtar, a resident of Gachpara village. Her first husband, Atikul Hasan Russell, a local shopkeeper from Char Pogaldigha, presented a narrative of betrayal. He claims to have supported Sharmin through her education, helping her qualify as a pathologist. However, according to Russell, following her employment at the "Jonoseba Hospital and Diagnostic Centre," she entered into an extramarital affair with the facility’s proprietor, Liaquat Shikdar.

Russell alleges that Sharmin initially abandoned him and their young daughter to marry Liaquat. He claims she later returned to him, citing mistreatment by Liaquat, only to be lured away once more by the hospital owner under the guise of professional opportunities.

Counterclaims and Official Records

Conversely, Liaquat Shikdar—a former leader of the local Volunteers' League—vehemently denies any wrongdoing. He asserts that his marriage to Sharmin is entirely legal, claiming it took place only after she had formalised her divorce from Russell. Liaquat maintains that the couple has been residing in a rented property in the Jagannathganj area for the past two and a half months.

Comparative Claims of the Disputants

Police Intervention and Verification

The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sarishabari Police Station, Bacchu Mia, confirmed that the three individuals are currently in police custody for their own safety and to facilitate an investigation. The police are now tasked with the meticulous verification of Nikahnamas (marriage certificates) and Talaknamas (divorce papers) provided by both parties.

The situation remains a focal point of local gossip, particularly as Liaquat Shikdar has reportedly been embroiled in similar controversies in the past. Authorities have assured the public that the woman will be released into the custody of her legally recognised husband once the veracity of the conflicting legal documents is established.