Rangamati, Aug 24 (V7N) — A court in Rangamati has sentenced a man to three years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him Tk 2 lakh for assaulting and harassing his wife over dowry and subsequently forcing her out of the marital home.
The verdict was delivered by Rangamati Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Mohammad Mahabubur Rahman on Sunday afternoon. The accused, Md Arman Hossain, 29, was present in court when the verdict was announced and was later sent to jail.
According to case documents, the case was registered with the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal as Women and Children Case No. 66/23 under Sections 11(C) and 30 of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000, as amended in 2003.
The plaintiff, Minuara Akter, 30, is the wife of Arman Hossain, who was named as the principal accused.
According to the complaint, the couple married on Dec 24, 2017, under Islamic law and social customs, with a dowry settlement of Tk 5 lakh as denmohor. They have a child.
The plaintiff alleged that her husband and his family began pressuring her for dowry about five to six months after the marriage. Hoping to preserve her marriage, she said she obtained a total of Tk 5.08 lakh from her father on several occasions and handed it over to them.
Later, her husband allegedly demanded an additional Tk 2 lakh, saying he needed the money to travel abroad.
When she refused to meet the additional demand, she was allegedly forced out of her husband's home. She subsequently took shelter with her sister's husband on Jan 15, 2022, along with her child.
According to the case documents, she later tried several times to resume her married life by contacting her husband and in-laws. However, she was allegedly told that she would not be allowed to return unless she paid the demanded Tk 2 lakh.
On June 5, 2023, Arman Hossain allegedly went to the residence where Minuara was staying. On June 12, at around 8am, she reportedly asked him to resume their marital life, but he allegedly repeated his demand for Tk 2 lakh.
According to the complaint, an argument followed, during which Arman allegedly assaulted her. Neighbours and witnesses reportedly intervened after hearing her cries and rescued her.
She subsequently received initial treatment at a local hospital. The complaint states that she later approached the authorities to file a case before seeking justice through the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal.
After a lengthy trial involving witness testimony and other evidence, the court found the allegations against Arman Hossain proved and sentenced him to three years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Tk 2 lakh.
Public Prosecutor Advocate Maksuda Haque said the state takes a firm position against social crimes such as dowry-related violence.
“The allegations against the accused were proved on the basis of the evidence and testimony presented before the court. The sentence was therefore handed down in accordance with the law,” she said.
She added that such verdicts would send a positive message to society and help strengthen efforts against dowry and violence against women.
Following the verdict, Arman Hossain was sent to jail.
Minuara Akter expressed satisfaction and gratitude to the court, saying she had finally received justice after a long wait.
“I am grateful to the court. I have received justice after a long time, and I am satisfied with the verdict,” she said.
She also praised Public Prosecutor Advocate Maksuda Habib for conducting the case with sincerity and commitment.
“I want what happened to me never to happen to another woman. Such exemplary punishment for dowry-related violence and violence against women can help reduce such crimes in the future,” she said.
The verdict also carries a broader message for society: dowry is not a family obligation or a condition of marriage but a social and legal wrong. Families and communities must work together to prevent dowry demands, support victims of abuse and ensure that women can seek justice without fear.
A dowry-free society can be built only when people refuse to give or demand dowry and stand together against violence and discrimination against women.
END/AMR/SMA/
