Woman tied to electric pole, beaten in Shariatpur

A group of women allegedly tied a woman to an electric pole and assaulted her in Shariatpur Sadar upazila this morning.

Palong Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shah Alam, quoting locals, said the incident happened around 11:00am today over a longstanding dispute between the victim, Moli Begum, and several local women over borrowing and lending money.

Moli Begum's hair was chopped off and black paint was smeared on her face.

According to police and locals, the victim’s husband, Tutul Sarwar, works in Libya. Moli, 37, lives in the area with their children. She alleged that she lent money to members of the Delwar Kotari family and some others in the locality. The dispute reportedly escalated over repayment of the loan.

Locals alleged that Moli was first held by a group of women near Shabnur Market in Uttar Palong area, led by Delwar Kotari's wife and daughter. She was then assaulted, her hair chopped off, and black paint smeared on her face. She was later tied to an electric pole beside the Palong-Premtola road, with a garland of shoes placed around her neck.

“Around 11:00am today, several women assaulted Moli and tied her to an electric pole over a financial dispute. We were informed through 999 and rescued her. She was later taken to hospital. If the victim wishes to take legal action, we will provide full assistance,” he added.

While undergoing treatment, Moli said that Delwar Kotari had borrowed money under a written agreement.

“I lent him money under a non-judicial stamp agreement. When I asked him to pay it back, he kept delaying. A week ago, I pressured him to return the money and then went to Dhaka with my children. When I returned today, his wife, daughter, and others assaulted and humiliated me. I demand justice and will file a case against them,” she added.

Contacted, Delwar’s wife, Amena Begum, said, "Moli often called my husband, asking for money. A few days ago, she called him saying she broke her leg and needed some money. When my husband went to see her, he was held by a few people and forced to give money. Because of that incident, she was restrained today. Now she is falsely claiming of lending money, to cover up her own wrongdoing."