A woman has been burnt in an acid attack by her divorced husband in Dhaka. The incident took place at around 6:30am on Monday in the capital’s Mirpur.
The victim, Rahima Begum, 38, was rescued and admitted to the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
According to hospital sources, Rahima is receiving treatment under the supervision of Professor Rabiul Karim Khan. Doctors said she had 16% burns on her face, back and hands.
Rahima was returning from her night duty from BIRDEM General Hospital, where she works as a nurse, when her ex-husband Abdul Ali threw acid at her and fled, said her younger brother Chan Mia.
Rahima and her relatives at the hospital said that Abdul Ali was her second husband. After getting married 10 years back, the couple were fine for a while. But Abdul’s addiction soon caught up with the pair. He became abusive and frequently beat Rahima when quarrels broke out, eventually leading to their divorce.
However, the abuse did not stop there. Abdul often called Rahima over the phone and verbally abused her. Sometimes he even confronted her on the streets.
Rahima added that Abdul Ali had been calling her by using different mobile phone numbers ever since the assault, threatening her with further assaults if she chose to press charges against him.
DMCH police outpost In-Charge Sub-Inspector Bachchu Mia said the matter had been referred to Mirpur police station, which is currently looking into the matter.
