The wife of an additional superintendent of police (ASP) has accused her husband of demanding dowry, maintaining extramarital relationships with multiple women, and using his official position to harass her through false cases.

The allegations were made by Shamia Khan Esha, wife of Additional Superintendent of Police Md Arif Hossain, during a press conference at the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) auditorium in the capital on Sunday.

According to her written statement, she married Arif Hossain under Islamic law on 19 July 2019. Arif, a member of the 34th BCS Police Cadre, is currently serving as the Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) in Joypurhat.

Esha alleged that her family spent nearly Tk20 lakh on furniture and wedding gifts at the time of the marriage. They also provided gold jewellery, a diamond ring and an expensive wristwatch worth around Tk15 lakh.

She said their married life was initially peaceful but claimed that her husband’s behaviour changed over time. According to her, she later discovered that he regularly consumed alcohol and drugs and was involved in inappropriate relationships with multiple women.

She further alleged that he frequently brought women to their residence in her absence and hosted drinking sessions with friends. Whenever she protested, she was subjected to physical and mental abuse, she claimed.

Esha also alleged that her husband later became involved in a relationship with a woman identified as Kamrun Jahan Bithi and continued seeing her at their residence. After she filed a complaint with Rampura Police Station, she claimed the abuse intensified and that her husband threatened to implicate her in false criminal cases by using his professional influence.

She alleged that her husband later demanded Tk40 lakh in dowry. In an attempt to save the marriage, her parents reportedly sold ancestral land and paid the amount through cash and bank cheques.

According to Esha, part of the money was used to purchase a vehicle and land in Purbachal, while the officer continued living a lavish lifestyle. She further alleged that he later demanded an additional Tk50 lakh in dowry.

She said she submitted written complaints to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Rajshahi Range, and the Superintendent of Police of Joypurhat.

On 5 July, she also filed a complaint under Section 3 of the Dowry Prohibition Act with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka. She claimed to have submitted photographs, audio recordings, videos, text messages and other digital evidence on a pen drive. According to her, the court has already issued a summons requiring the accused officer to appear.

Esha further alleged that after learning of the court summons, the officer used his influence in Joypurhat to file a case against her, her parents and other family members at Joypurhat Sadar Police Station. She claimed they have since been subjected to harassment and that witnesses have been threatened with false cases if they testify.

She also alleged that she had received threats of an acid attack.

Expressing concern over the possibility of an impartial investigation, Esha said the accused officer continues to serve in the same district where the allegations are being investigated, allowing him to exert influence over the local administrative system. As a result, she claimed, many witnesses are now reluctant to testify.

She urged the government, Bangladesh Police, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the judiciary to immediately withdraw the officer from Joypurhat and attach him to Police Lines to ensure a fair and impartial investigation.

The allegations have been made by the officer’s wife. No response from the accused officer was included in the press conference.