A domestic worker in Sirajganj has alleged that she was physically and mentally abused after being accused of theft by her employers, a doctor and his lecturer wife.

The victim’s father submitted a written complaint to Sirajganj sadar police station on Sunday.

However, as of 7:00pm on Sunday, the complaint had not been recorded as a case. Police said the matter is under investigation and that a decision on further legal action will be taken based on the findings.

According to the complaint, the victim, Ayna Khatun, 18, had been working as a domestic worker for the past year at the house of Shyuli Begum, a lecturer at the department of philosophy of Sirajganj Government College, and her husband, Dr Md Nurul Islam, an assistant registrar at Sirajganj Medical College Hospital.

The complainant, Joynal Abedin, a resident of Ward No. 12 in Kolgoyla area of Sirajganj municipality, alleged that a gold chain and a pair of silver anklets belonging to the family went missing on May 27. Following the incident, Ayna was suspected of theft and was called to the house on Saturday afternoon.

The complaint alleges that she was physically assaulted and subjected to intimidation in an attempt to recover the missing ornaments. She was later taken to the police station and subsequently admitted to Sirajganj General Hospital after falling ill.

‘My daughter has been working there for the last year. There are CCTV cameras in the house, yet she was allegedly tortured over the theft allegation,’ Joynal Abedin told this correspondent.

‘We have submitted a written complaint and are now waiting for the outcome of the police investigation.’

Ayna Khatun denied the allegation and claimed that she was pressured to confess to a crime she did not commit.

Medical documents from Sirajganj General Hospital mention ‘Physical Assault’ in the patient’s clinical history. Hospital sources said the victim received primary treatment from Emergency Medical Officer Dr Shamsul Arifin Shuvo. However, the medical records reportedly state that no visible external injury marks were found on her body.

When contacted, Shyuli Begum denied the allegation.

‘The incident is completely false. There is no truth to the complaint,’ she said.

Her husband, Dr Md Nurul Islam, also rejected the allegation, saying, ‘I have been implicated in the matter with an ulterior motive and the allegations are baseless.’

‘We are examining the allegations thoroughly. Appropriate legal action will be taken if evidence supporting the allegations is found during the investigation’, officer-in-charge Rakibul Islam Rakib of Sirajganj sadar police Station said.