Husband accused of 'selling' wife to Mumbai brothel; case filed in Jashore

A case has been filed against a man for allegedly selling his wife to a brothel in Mumbai, India, months after their marriage, police said.

The complaint was lodged with the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Prevention and Suppression Tribunal-1 in Jashore and was subsequently recorded as a regular case by Kotwali Police Station last night, following a court directive and preliminary police investigation, said Masum Khan, officer-in-charge of the station.

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The victim's mother filed the case against her son-in-law, Rabbani Khan of Abhaynagar upazila, the OC said.

According to the case statement, Rabbani married the complainant's 26-year-old daughter on July 11, 2022, after which he frequently travelled to India.

On May 22 this year, Rabbani took his wife to her parent's home and told her family he wanted to take her to India for a visit, seeking permission from his mother-in-law with an assurance that the couple would return to Bangladesh later.

On July 25, the daughter called her mother from Mumbai and said she had been sold to a brothel there. Rabbani returned to Bangladesh alone two days later, on July 28.

When questioned about her daughter, he allegedly said his wife would return within a week.

When she did not, the mother called Rabbani to her home on August 2 and questioned him again.

He allegedly threatened her and admitted to selling her daughter, telling her, "Your daughter has been sold in India. Do whatever you can," the complaint stated.

Shocked, she discussed the matter with family members before filing the case with the tribunal.

An investigation had begun and efforts were underway to arrest the accused, the OC said.