A woman has died under suspicious circumstances in Bhedarganj upazila of Shariatpur, sparking allegations of dowry-related murder.

The family of the victim, Rajlaxmi Purabi, 25, of Nagarpara in Gosairhat upazila, alleged that she was strangled to death for failing to bring dowry money.

However, her in-laws have rejected the allegation and said she took her own life. 

Rajlaxmi’s husband, Chanchal Hawladar, 30, of Singachura area in Bhedarganj upazila, has been absconding with their two-year-old child since the incident. 

According to local sources and police, the incident came to light around 8:00am on Wednesday when the victim’s mother-in-law, Laxmi Hawladar, saw Rajlaxmi’s body hanging from a wooden beam. She immediately called neighbours, who rushed to the scene and took Rajlaxmi to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Speaking to The Daily Star, the victim’s relative Rinku Rani alleged that Chanchal frequently assaulted Rajlaxmi over dowry demands, but the family was financially incapable of meeting such demands.

Rajlaxmi’s mother-in-law, Laxmi, denied the murder allegation. She said Rajlaxmi had asked her father for money to send her husband abroad for work.

“When her father refused, she became distressed and took her own life out of anger and frustration,” Laxmi said.

“Chanchal is innocent. He did not kill her,” she added.

Shariatpur Sadar Hospital duty doctor Dr Hasan confirmed that Rajlaxmi was brought to the hospital in the morning. “She was declared dead after an examination. There were strangulation marks on her neck,” he said.

Bhedarganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abu Bakar said police were sent to the scene after receiving information. “The body was recovered from the in-laws’ house. We are investigating the matter.”

“No written complaint has been filed yet, but the family has said they will file a case,” added the OC.