Liya battles for justice

With determination to stand on her own feet, Fatema Akter Liya has continued legal battle for justice along with struggle for survival with two kids, following brutal torture by dowry-greedy husband and his parents three months ago.

Liya, daughter of Tofazzal Hossain of Matikata village in Nikrail union under Tangail's Bhuapur upazila, was married to Shofiqul Islam, imam of Nikla Raipara mosque and a shopkeeper at a nearby market, in 2010.

Despite poverty, Tofazzal gave cash money, gold ornaments, furniture, fridge and other household items to the new couple.

"But my husband showed suspicious behaviour from the beginning. He often stayed away at night and seldom gave me money for familial expenses. He and his parents demanded dowry and tortured me, whenever I protested," said Liya, now 25.

She gave birth to her first child a year after marriage and another baby was born on November 30 last year through a caesarean section at a private hospital in Tangail town.

On the night of December 6, a day after she returned home, her husband and his parents attacked her with sharp weapons. Neighbours rescued her and admitted her to Tangail General Hospital with swollen eyes and serious injuries on different parts of the body including the head.

Liya's father on December 8 filed a case with Bhuapur Police Station against Shafiqul, his parents Abdul Hamid and Rokeya Begum of Chanamula village in the same upazila.

On December 12, the trio surrendered before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in Tangail and the court sent them to jail, rejecting their bail prayer.

Charge sheet against Shofiqul and his parents will be submitted to the court very soon, said investigation officer of the case Shamsul Huda, sub-inspector of Bhuapur Police Station.

Liya'a father, said, "I and my daughter have to go to Tangail often to attend the court proceedings in the case. With my little income as a tailor, I am passing hard days as I have to maintain Liya and her two sons, along with five other members of my family."

“The infections on Liya's head are yet be cured. Doctors suggested conducting a CT scan of her head but it could not be done due to lack of money,” he said.

Liya alleged that after release on bail, her mother-in-law is spreading slanders against her and creating pressure for compromise through influential people.

"But I want due punishment of Shafiqul and his parents so that others dare not commit such crime against any woman. I want to stand on my own feet and educate my kids," she said.

Liya, who completed education up to the higher secondary level, wants a suitable job.