A migrant worker in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district, identified as Jahadaul Islam, allegedly killed his wife, Rubina Khatun, after taking her to a nearby sugarcane field. He reportedly removed her clothes and left her body in the field in an attempt to divert attention from the murder and make it appear to be a case of sexual assault.
According to reports, Islam, a native of Malikpur village in West Bengal's Malda district, contacted his brother-in-law, Sohel Ali, a resident of Katihar district in Bihar, and informed him that his sister Rubina was missing.
When Sohel reached the couple's residence and began looking for his sister, he reportedly noticed inconsistencies in Islam's account. After questioning him further, Islam allegedly confessed to killing her.
According to the police, the accused suspected that his wife was having an extramarital affair. The couple had reportedly been involved in repeated arguments over the same suspicion, which their neighbours were also aware of.
Both husband and wife worked as migrant labourers in the area, where they were employed in cleaning nearby drains and sewerage.
According to the police investigation, Islam allegedly strangled Rubina using his gamchha (cloth towel) before removing her clothes and leaving her body in a nearby sugarcane field. The accused was subsequently arrested, and the woman's body was recovered. Police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), with further investigation underway.
Gender-based violence: A continuing concern
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women, nearly 50,000 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members worldwide in 2024. This amounts to approximately 137 women and girls every day, or one every 10 minutes.
It is important that we recognise gender-based violence and remain vigilant about warning signs of abuse, particularly when violence occurs within relationships and households.
In India, domestic violence and crimes against women continue to face significant reporting and justice-system challenges. A research study examining nearly two decades of domestic violence data found that, among cases sent for trial in 2018, trials were completed in only 6.8% of cases. Of those completed trials, convictions were recorded in 15.5%.
Readers are urged to look out for themselves and those around them, support people experiencing abusive relationships, and help them access appropriate assistance and safety.
Some useful resources
181 – Women Helpline
24/7 support
Toll-free support for women experiencing domestic violence or other forms of abuse.
112 – Emergency Response Support System
For immediate danger requiring police, ambulance or other emergency assistance.
7827170170 – National Commission for Women
24-hour helpline for women in distress, including those experiencing violence.
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