A tragic incident of domestic violence in Patiya, Chittagong, has resulted in the death of a 22-year-old pregnant woman, Sifatun Nur. Sifatun, who was three months pregnant, succumbed to her injuries at the Chittagong Medical College Hospital on Friday after battling for her life for nine days. The incident has sparked outrage, as the primary motive behind the brutal assault was allegedly a dispute over the quantity of food gifts sent from her parents' home.
Sifatun Nur was the daughter of Md. Nur from Chandanaish Municipality. She had been married for only five months to Md. Tarek, a Dubai-based expatriate. According to her family, Sifatun had been subjected to regular physical and mental abuse by her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law since the beginning of her marriage.
The conflict escalated on October 12, when Sifatun’s mother visited her daughter's home with traditional seasonal gifts, including various types of 'pitha' (cakes) and fruits. The mother-in-law reportedly expressed extreme dissatisfaction, claiming the quantity was insufficient to distribute among their relatives and neighbors. This trivial disagreement turned violent, leading to a physical assault on Sifatun.
Family members allege that on October 14, the victim was struck on the head with a wooden stick by her in-laws. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, where she remained under medical supervision until her passing on Friday afternoon. Following the assault, Sifatun’s father filed a formal case at the Patiya Police Station against the perpetrators.
Sifatun’s mother, Jahinur Akter, expressed deep grief and frustration, stating that her daughter had been living in a hostile environment since her wedding. Despite the family providing a significant amount of food, the in-laws' demands remained unsatisfied, leading to this fatal outcome. Local authorities have confirmed that an investigation is underway, and legal proceedings are being initiated against those responsible for the assault.
