Wife accuses addl SP of dowry abuse
Shamia Khan Esha seeks an impartial investigation and suspension of the police officer, who has not yet publicly responded to the allegations
Shamia Khan Esha has accused her husband, Additional Superintendent of Police Md Arif Hossain, of dowry-related
abuse, drug use and extramarital affairs. She made the allegations at a press conference held at the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh auditorium in Dhaka on Sunday.
Esha said she had submitted written complaints to the inspector general of police, the deputy inspector general of Rajshahi Range and the Joypurhat superintendent of police. She also filed a criminal case with Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court on July 5.
Arif is currently serving as additional superintendent of police for Joypurhat Sadar Circle.
Esha demanded that he be withdrawn or suspended from his post to ensure an impartial investigation. She also called for legal action if the allegations were proven.
She said she married Arif on July 19, 2019. According to her, her family provided furniture and gifts worth around Tk 20 lakh, along with jewellery and other items valued at approximately Tk 14.8 lakh.
The couple lived in Chattogram, Rajshahi and Joypurhat because of Arif’s postings. Their daughter was born in October 2020.
Esha alleged that her husband’s behaviour changed after their marriage and that he began consuming alcohol and drugs. She also accused him of maintaining relationships with several women and claimed to possess photographs, videos, messages and audio recordings supporting her allegations.
She further alleged that Arif regularly subjected her to physical and psychological abuse when she protested against his conduct.
According to Esha, Arif later demanded Tk 40 lakh in dowry. She claimed her parents sold land to provide the money in cash and through bank cheques in an effort to preserve the marriage.
She alleged that Tk 12 lakh from the money was used to purchase an unregistered Toyota Premio and that part of it was also spent on land in Purbachal. Arif later demanded another Tk 50 lakh, she claimed.
Esha alleged that Arif assaulted her at their rented home in Joypurhat on January 9 following a dispute over dowry and also struck their daughter. She said they were forced to leave the house and later received treatment at Joypurhat Sadar Hospital.
She claimed police subsequently provided them with protection for seven days and advised her to seek legal remedies.
Esha also alleged that Arif had stopped providing financial support for her and their daughter, cut off communication and was attempting to divorce her.
Referring to another alleged incident, Esha said she found Arif intoxicated with a woman at a house in Dhaka’s Basila area on May 30. When she protested, he allegedly struck her on the head with a mobile phone, leaving her injured and unconscious.
She said police headquarters received her complaint to the IGP on June 7. Complaints were also submitted to the Rajshahi Range DIG and the Joypurhat SP.
Esha said she submitted photographs of her injuries, audio recordings, messages and videos to the court on a pen drive with the criminal case.
She further alleged that after learning about the case, Arif used his official influence to have a case filed against her and her parents with Joypurhat Sadar Police Station on July 9.
She claimed her family and witnesses had since faced harassment and threats of legal action.
Esha said she and her family felt unsafe and feared that an impartial investigation would not be possible while Arif remained in his current position.
No response from Arif or the relevant police authorities was included in the information provided.
