Bodies of 2 women recovered in Dhaka

The deceased were identified as Asma Akhter, 30, and Monika Akhter, 27. Despite sharing their surnames, they are not believed to be related.

Their autopsies were conducted at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue on Saturday.

Police said Asma Akhter fell from the balcony of Cabin No. 813 on the eighth floor of Bangladesh Medical College Hospital in Dhanmondi at around 3pm on Friday.

After receiving information through the national emergency service 999, police recovered her body from the spot.

Sub-Inspector (SI) Tuli Mandal of Dhanmondi Police Station said the family of the deceased alleged that Asma's death was not accidental and claimed that her husband pushed her from the balcony.

A case has been filed with Dhanmondi Police Station in connection with the incident, and the husband has been arrested, the SI said.

"The exact cause of death will be known after receiving the autopsy report," she added.

Asma's brother, Mozammel Haque, said she married Md Shafiullah about three years ago following a relationship.

He alleged that Asma had been subjected to mental harassment after learning that her husband had a previous wife and children.

He said Asma had been admitted to the hospital three days earlier with stomach-related complications and was scheduled to be discharged on Friday.

He alleged that an argument broke out between the couple in the hospital cabin shortly before the incident.

In a separate incident, Monika Akhter, a housewife, died after falling from a building in the Aftabnagar area under Badda Police Station.

Police recovered her body from in front of a building on Road No. 1, Sector No. 2, E-Block of Aftabnagar on Friday afternoon.

Fatema Siddika Soma, Sub-Inspector of Badda Police Station, said police were informed that Monika had fallen from the eight-storey building.

After completing legal formalities, the body was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy, reports UNB.

According to preliminary information gathered by police, Monika may have died by suicide after jumping from the building while suffering from mental distress.

However,  as in the previous case, the exact cause and circumstances of her death will be confirmed after the autopsy report is received, the SI said.