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In a heart-wrenching incident in Savar’s Kalma area, a story of love and sacrifice has turned into one of betrayal and despair. Ummay Sahedina Tuni, aged 35, donated her kidney to save her husband’s life, only to be abandoned and abused by him after his recovery, leaving her to fight for her existence alone.
Tuni married Md. Tarek, a Malaysia expatriate, in 2006 through a family arrangement. Their happiness was short-lived as their son, Azmain Dibya, was born in 2007, and by mid-2008, Tarek was diagnosed with a severe kidney condition, with both kidneys nearly failing. Doctors warned that without regular dialysis, death was inevitable. While family and society turned their backs, Tuni stood by her husband, dedicating her life to his treatment. She spent her earnings, sold her gold jewelry, and even used her mother’s pension to fund his care. In pursuit of better treatment, she took Tarek to CMC Hospital in India, continuing his treatment for years. On October 26, 2019, at Apollo Hospital in Delhi, under the supervision of Dr. KN Singh, Tuni donated her kidney to Tarek in a successful transplant. She hoped this would mark the end of their struggles, but instead, it marked the beginning of a darker chapter. After recovering, Tarek’s behavior changed drastically. Back in Dhaka, he became engrossed in online gambling and an extramarital affair. He began physically abusing Tuni, eventually throwing her out of their home to live with his lover, Tahmina Merry, a divorcee. Tuni filed a complaint at Savar Police Station on February 2, 2024, but Tarek managed to have it withdrawn the next day through a written undertaking. However, as the abuse escalated, Tuni sought legal recourse again, filing a case under the Women’s Repression and Dowry Act in Dhaka’s Judicial Magistrate Court on April 22. Tarek was arrested on April 24 but was released on bail on June 4, after which he went into hiding, pressuring Tuni for a divorce. Tuni shared her ordeal with Kaler Kantho, stating, “After donating my kidney, I spent seven days in the ICU. There, I heard Tarek yelling at me for a delay in receiving money from my aunt. Even in the hospital, he attacked me.” She added, “Tarek is now pressuring me for a divorce and to transfer the house to his name. I only want this betrayer to face justice so no one else suffers such deceit.” Neighbors expressed disbelief, noting how devotedly Tuni cared for Tarek, even giving her kidney to save him, only for him to abuse her and live with his lover. Tuni’s mother lamented, “I spent all my pension on Tarek’s treatment. Now, that same man has thrown my daughter out! I demand justice.” Tuni’s lawyer, Advocate Nehar Faruk, stated, “Tarek has not only committed violence against women but also violated organ transplant laws by deceitfully taking his wife’s kidney and then abusing her. We will apply for the cancellation of his bail once we receive the charge sheet.” Since his release on bail, Tarek has been untraceable, having changed his phone number, making it impossible to contact him despite repeated attempts.
