Newlywed's body recovered in Rauzan four months after wedding; family alleges torture and murder
A newlywed named Rima De has died in mysterious circumstances in Rauzan, Chattogram, just four months after her wedding. Police recovered her body at around 9pm on Saturday (November 14) from her in-laws' home at Sultanpur village in Ward 4 of Rauzan municipality, near the Satsang temple.
Rima De was the daughter of Khokon De and Probha Rani De of the Tekbaria tea-garden area in Ward 7 of Kanchan Nagar Union in Fatikchhari upazila. Four months and four days ago she married Ayon De (26), son of Ashok Khastagir of Khastagir Bari at Sultanpur village, Ward 4 of Rauzan municipality, near the Satsang temple.
Her family alleges that Rima was tortured and then killed by smothering with a pillow. The real cause of death, however, has not yet been confirmed.
Her mother, Probha Rani De, said they were phoned at around 3pm on Saturday and told that Rima had fallen from the stairs, been injured and was being taken to hospital. On hearing the news they searched Chattogram Medical College Hospital, Chowdhuryhat hospital and other places, but found no trace of their daughter anywhere. Later, going to her in-laws' home in Rauzan, they found her body there.
Probha Rani De said that after the body was found, they were told Rima had committed suicide. But she claims there are injury marks beside her daughter's nose and on her leg. Her allegation is that her daughter was tortured and then killed by smothering with a pillow.
Local sources said that once a murder allegation arose, police went to the scene and prepared an inquest report on the body. Relatives claim those present during the inquest said there were injury marks at various places on the body. They also said the furniture in Rima's room was found smashed.
Rauzan police station's officer-in-charge (OC) Saiful Islam said the body was recovered and taken to the police station following the relatives' complaint. On Sunday morning the body was sent to the Chattogram Medical College Hospital morgue for a post-mortem. The real cause of death will be known once the post-mortem report arrives, and necessary legal action will be taken over the incident. However, no written complaint has yet been received in this connection.
The mysterious death of a newlywed just four months after her wedding has created a stir in the area. Relatives are waiting for the post-mortem report and the police investigation to learn whether it was suicide, an accident or a murder.
