Shahinur Akter, who was reportedly set on fire by her husband in Laxmipur, died while being treated at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 11am on Monday (Apr 22).

Her body has been kept at the DMCH morgue for autopsy, said DMCH police outpost in-charge Inspector Bacchu Miah.

Earlier on Sunday (Apr 21), Akter’s husband set fire on her in Patarirhat area in Laxmipur’s Kamalnagar Upazila. Later she was admitted to the burn unit of Laxmipur Sadar Hospital with around 40% burns on her body. After her condition deteriorated, she was referred to DMCH.

Salahuddin's brothers—Abdur Rahman Biswas and Alauddin— were detained by police in Kamalnagar upazila on Monday morning over the incident. However, no case has been filed yet.

Talking to Bangla Tribune from the hospital in Laxmipur, the woman, who hails from Chattogram’s Sonagazi, claimed to be married to Salahuddin, who is from Patarirhat. However, in the two years of the supposed marriage, she never set foot in his house in Laxmipur.

On Friday, she decided to come to Salahuddin’s house, only to find out that he has been living with another woman as his wife, and two children. When she confronted him, he denied he was married to Shahinur.

On Sunday, Salahuddin took her to an empty field near his house, and allegedly poured kerosene on her before setting her on fire.

Charfalkan Union Parishad Member Hafiz Ullah said, “When she came to us seeking justice, we asked for their marriage certificate, which she could not produce.”