AMIRABAD BOTTOLA, NARAYANGANJ, BANGLADESH – JUNE 12, 2020 20-year-old Sonia Akhtar Tamanna was found hanging in the home of her husband’s family. She had been married to 24-year-old Mohammed Faysal for approximately eight months.
Sonia’s dead body
The case was initially dismissed by police as a suicide. However, disturbing details about their relationship later came to light. Mohammed’s family reportedly never liked Sonia. They had demanded a dowry from her family at the time of marriage, but her family couldn’t afford to pay. Everyone in the household, including her husband, took out their anger on Sonia. She was subjected to psychological abuse, physical punishment, forbidden from leaving the house, and was even urged multiple times to take her own life.
These revelations sparked widespread public outrage and media attention. Under mounting pressure, the police were forced to reopen the case and investigate further. It was discovered that Mohammed’s family had bribed an investigating officer, Hanif, to omit crucial details – specifically, an injury to Sonia’s head – from the initial report.
Mohammed and several members of his family were arrested shortly after the case was reopened and were charged with abetment to suicide. The court’s final verdict, however, remains unknown.
If you’re thinking about suicide, please stop and recognize that your pain is not permanent, but this step would be. It may feel like there’s no other way, but there is hope, even if it’s hard to see right now. Your feelings are temporary, and with help, they can pass.
Talking about what you're going through might feel difficult, but it’s the first step toward healing. Don’t turn away from the people who want to support you. Life can offer more than what you're feeling right now, and the pain doesn't have to last forever. You deserve help, and it’s available.
If you need immediate help, please contact a helpline.
