A remarkable dispute over the paternity of a newborn baby girl caused considerable commotion on Sunday morning at a private medical facility in Barishal, southern Bangladesh. The incident, which unfolded at Arif Memorial Hospital in the heart of Barishal city, saw two men—one Hindu and one Muslim—lay simultaneous claim to being the legitimate husband of the mother and the biological father of the child.
The mother, identified as Shanta, gave birth to the child via caesarean section. Accompanying her through the admission and delivery process was Subhash, a resident of Bakerganj upazila, who introduced himself as her lawful husband. However, the situation took a dramatic turn on Sunday morning when a second man, Emdadul, arrived at the maternity ward claiming that he was Shanta’s lawful husband and the father of the newborn.
Emdadul, hailing from Bukhainagar village under the Charmonai union, produced physical evidence, including a marriage register certificate (Kabinnaama) and photograph records. He asserted that he had married Shanta in 2021 after a romantic relationship. According to Emdadul, Shanta converted to Islam upon their marriage, after which the couple relocated to Dhaka to build their life together. He stated that his wife had returned to her parental home in Barishal three months prior on the pretext of preparing for the childbirth.
| Parameter | Case Details |
| Incident Date | 8 November |
| Location | Arif Memorial Hospital, Barishal |
| Mother’s Identity | Shanta |
| First Husband (Claimant) | Emdadul |
| Second Husband (Claimant) | Subhash |
| First Marriage Year | 2021 |
| Second Marriage Year | 2024 |
| First Husband’s Residence | Charmonai Union / Dhaka |
| Second Husband’s Residence | Bakerganj Upazila |
| Hospital Official | Dr Nazrul Islam (Chairman) |
Local sources subsequently revealed that Shanta had managed to maintain concurrent relationships without either man’s knowledge. While residing in Dhaka with Emdadul, she allegedly kept ties with her paternal home. In 2024, concealing her existing marital status, she entered into a second marriage with Subhash. She explained her periodic absences to Subhash by claiming she had employment commitments in Dhaka, whilst telling Emdadul that her trips away were visits to her parents.
Upon Emdadul’s unexpected appearance at the ward with documentary proof, Subhash quietly departed the hospital grounds, rendering him unavailable for further comment. Shanta denied Emdadul’s claims, asserting that he was not the father of her child, though she offered no explanation regarding the authenticity of the legal documents presented by him.
Dr Nazrul Islam, Chairman of Arif Memorial Hospital, confirmed that the management sought to de-escalate the tension as the legal and personal complexities mounted. Following the departure of both claimants, Shanta’s father, Krishna Karmakar, stepped in to discharge his daughter and the newborn, escorting them back to their family home. Local legal authorities may be called upon to resolve the dispute regarding the child’s legal paternity and the validity of the marital arrangements.
