21-year-old housewife found dead with torture marks and blood, in-laws abscond in Bankura

A 21-year-old housewife, Nurjahan Khatun, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Sonakul village, Harishchandrapur, on Sunday. Her body was discovered in a near-naked state, with visible marks of physical abuse and bloodstains scattered around. Her father was alerted by neighbors and arrived at the in-laws’ house to find his daughter’s body in a room with a rope mark around her neck. The family claims that all members of her in-laws' house, including her husband Masud Ali, were absent when the body was discovered.

Nurjahan, originally from Tal Bangrua village, married Masud Ali of Sonakul three years ago. According to her family, after marriage, she faced continuous demands for dowry. Despite receiving an 85 thousand rupee dowry at the time of the wedding, her in-laws allegedly pressured her to bring an additional two lakh rupees. This demand led to allegations of both physical and mental abuse. Nurjahan's family claims that she was subjected to harsh treatment and frequent threats from her in-laws.

Upon hearing of her death, Nurjahan's father reached the in-laws' house to find his daughter’s body lying half-naked, with clear signs of torture. Authorities were notified immediately, and the police arrived at the scene to recover the body. The police have sent the body for post-mortem examination at Malda Medical College, and the preliminary signs of strangulation are under investigation. Police have also noted the presence of bloodstains and marks on her body, which point to the possibility of a violent death.

A formal complaint was lodged by Nurjahan’s family at Harishchandrapur police station, accusing her in-laws of harassment and murder. The complaint mentions the repeated dowry demands and the physical abuse that Nurjahan allegedly endured. All members of her in-laws' family, including her husband and other relatives, have reportedly fled the area. Police are working to locate them, and an investigation into the circumstances of her death is ongoing. Authorities have not ruled out the involvement of the in-laws in the incident.