Tripura: Bangladeshi woman rescued in Sonamura after alleged abuse by in-laws

Agartala: A 27-year-old Bangladeshi woman who allegedly faced prolonged physical and mental abuse by her Indian in-laws was rescued in Tripura’s Sonamura area and handed over to the police last Sunday, officials said.

The woman, identified as Sweety Akter, was found near the Sonamura court complex after she fled her in-laws’ house in Melaghar, locals said. With the help of local journalist Md Mamun Miah, she was taken to the Sonamura police station for legal assistance.

Police said the woman was produced before a court and would be deported to Bangladesh following due legal process. Officer-in-charge of the Sonamura police station, Tapas Das, said she had been booked under relevant provisions of the Passport Act and remanded to judicial custody.

According to people familiar with the matter, the woman had reached the court complex in an attempt to have her grievances heard by authorities and was seeking a safe way to return to her country.

Speaking to reporters, Sweety Akter said she had fallen in love with Sagar, a resident of Melaghar’s Mohanbhog block, around five years ago after meeting him in Bangladesh when he visited his maternal uncle’s house.

The two later connected through social media and decided to marry.

She alleged that she crossed the border illegally to solemnise the marriage, after which religious rituals were performed. However, she claimed that her situation deteriorated soon after the wedding.

“Within hours, things started changing. My husband left for abroad to earn a living, leaving me and my 21-day-old daughter at my in-laws’ house. Over time, the torture began,” she alleged, claiming that she was repeatedly abused by her father-in-law.

She further alleged that she had fled to her parental home in Bangladesh about a year ago but was persuaded to return after assurances from her in-laws that she would not be harmed. “After returning, the torture only increased,” she said.

The woman also alleged that she had been separated from her daughter and was repeatedly denied custody of the child. She claimed that her husband had stopped contacting her and had instructed his parents to drive her out of the house.

“I only wanted my child so that I could return home. That was also denied,” she said, adding that she hoped no other woman would face similar consequences.

Police said further action would be taken in accordance with law and international protocols governing illegal cross-border movement.