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Woman beaten at village arbitration after same-sex marriage
Published : Saturday, 10 October, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Observer Online Report
A woman was allegedly beaten with bamboo sticks and forced to repent at a village arbitration in Gaibandha after marrying another woman while posing as a man.
The incident took place on Friday afternoon in Basudebpur village under Barishal Union of Palashbari upazila. A video of the incident has circulated on social media.
According to the marriage document, Chandni Akter, daughter of Ibrahim of Barishal village, married Laboni Akter, daughter of Taju Mia of Hijalgari village under Palashbari municipality, on April 15, 2026. Chandni reportedly used the name Rasel in the marriage document.
Local sources said Chandni's father, Ibrahim Khalil, first became aware of her behaviour, prompting a stir in the area. A village arbitration was subsequently held on Friday to settle the matter.
Local influential people, a mosque imam and members of the mosque committee attended the meeting. Laboni was handed over to her family. In their presence, a man named Mahfuz allegedly struck Chandni repeatedly across her body with a bamboo stick and told her to live like other women.
A local resident, Amzad, said village discipline was acceptable, but beating someone in public in such a manner was not. He said the law should be allowed to take its course, adding that Chandni had allegedly been beaten for around 20 minutes in front of everyone.
Another eyewitness, Hasan, said Chandni was beaten with a bamboo stick and forced to squat repeatedly while holding her ears. Those present also objected to her wearing trousers and a shirt.
Mahfuz Ahmed, convener of Palashbari upazila Jubo Dal, who attended the arbitration, said Chandni was made to repent in the presence of local people to maintain peace and order in the area.
Barishal Union Chairman Nazrul Islam said he was unaware of the matter.
Palashbari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sarowar Alam Khan said he had seen the video on Facebook and that the matter was being investigated. He added that no complaint had been filed with the police so far.
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
