For the second time in two months, Api Khatun of Shailkupa upazila in Jhenidah came under acid attack on Thursday night allegedly by her former husband and co-wife.This time, her face was severely burnt, doctors say. She was first rushed to Jhenidah Sadar Hospital. As her condition deteriorated, the hospital authority yesterday referred her to the burns unit at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
She hails from Bhagabannagar village under Shailkupa.
Mother of the victim, Latifa Begum said the same culprits carried out the attack around 10:30pm on Thursday when Api was sleeping at the house.
Api returned home on March 15 from the DMCH burns unit after treatment for two months. The 15-year-old girl first came under acid attack on January 8 when the left side of her body got burnt.
On January 9, the victim's family filed a case with Shailkupa Police Station accusing four people including Api's former husband Ershad Ali and former co-wife Lailee begum. Police are yet to arrest any one of them.
But since then, she was threatened with dire consequences to withdraw the case.
Victim's father Laltu Mondol said Api was married to Ershad of the same village in July last year. Following torture by her co-wife Lailee, Api divorced him in October. She took admission to class eight again at Bhatoi Secondary School in Shailkupa.
Lailee in association with her husband and other relatives threw acid on Api being suspicious that her husband was continuing relation with Api, claimed the father, adding that he filed a GD (general diary) with Shailkupa police on Thursday.
Api told journalists at Jhenidah Sadar Hospital in a feeble voice that she had requested the administration to take necessary steps against the culprits.
Resident Medical officer Dr Rashed Al-Mamun of Jhenidah Sadar Hospital confirmed that Api was burnt with acid.
Officer-in-Charge Ahsan Habib of Shailkupa Police Station admitted the incident. "The accused are hiding after the first incident. We are trying to nab the culprits," he added.