Baul singer Anika Akhter Anika (25) was found dead under mysterious circumstances early Friday morning at her rented home in Bhuigarh, Fatulla, Narayanganj. Her husband, Habibur Rahman, took her body to a local private hospital, where doctors declared her dead. Police later detained Habibur and sent the body to the hospital morgue for autopsy.
Anika’s father, Jahangir Alam of Madaripur’s Mostafapur area, alleged that his daughter was repeatedly subjected to domestic abuse. “Habibur married Anika five years ago out of love but would remarry whenever there was a quarrel. He had already married four times before Anika,” he said. Jahangir added that Anika, who gave birth to a daughter four months ago, supported the family by performing songs in clubs, while Habibur routinely took away her earnings by force.
According to the family, Habibur recently married another Baul artist named Mala, leading to escalating tensions. “When Anika confronted him about the new marriage, he and another Baul singer, Swarna, attacked her at home last Thursday night. Swarna beat her and took her jewelry,” Jahangir said, adding that neighbors rescued Anika and took her to the hospital that night.
Habibur, however, denied the allegations, claiming that he found Anika’s body hanging from a window grill with a scarf around her neck after breaking open the door. He said he rushed her to Signboard Pro-Active Hospital, where she was declared dead.
Fatullah Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shariful Islam stated that the cause of death would be determined following the autopsy. “The victim’s family alleges she was killed by her husband due to ongoing family disputes. Habibur Rahman has been detained for questioning,” he confirmed.
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