Man throws acid on wife, mother-in-law

A woman and her mother suffered burns in an acid attack in Bhatamatha village of Brahmanbaria's Akhaura upazila yesterday.

The victims are Chandana Paul, 29, and her mother Putul Rani Paul, 50, of the village.

Family members and police said Chandana's husband, Ananda Paul, 40, carried out the attack over family feud.

Talking to The Daily Star, Ajit Paul, husband of Chandana's elder sister, said Chandana and Ananda, a resident of Tanti Bazar area of ​​the capital, got married around 10 years ago and they have a son.

A few years ago, Ananda became addicted to gambling. During the lockdown following the pandemic, he fell heavily into debt, leading to a feud with Chandana, who then left their home in the capital and started living with her parents in Bhatamatha village.

Over the recent months, Ananda had been asking Chandana to come back to him, but Chandana kept refusing to do so, Ajit said.

On Friday, Ananda went to her home and locked into an altercation with her over the matter. At one point, he allegedly poured acid on her. As her mother Putul tried to save her, Ananda allegedly threw acid on her as well, said Ajit.

Hearing their screams, neighbours rushed there and admitted them to Brahmanbaria General Hospital.

Ananda managed to flee.

Nazmul Haque, a duty doctor at the emergency unit of the hospital, said both the mother and daughter had 15 percent of their bodies burnt.

"They are out of danger," he said.

Contacted, Nahid Hasan, additional superintendent of police (Kasba-Akhaura circle), said preparations to file a case against Ananda was underway last night.

"Legal action will be taken once the case is filed," he added.