As the body of a 20-year-old housewife was recovered in Aditmari, Lalmonirhat on Sunday, her family claims that due to circulation of an objectionable AI-generated video—allegedly created by a relative of her husband– she was driven to mental distress and ultimately took her own life.
The housewife’s husband, 28, lives in Japan. They got married 10 months ago, and she was also expected to join him in Japan.
Police found the body hanging in the bedroom of her home. A suicide note was also recovered.
In the note, the housewife accused her husband’s relative, Mohammad Nahin Sheikh alias Mridul, who lives in Portugal.
According to her brother, an obscene video of his sister was created using AI technology. His sister told them that it was Mridul who made and shared the video among relatives.
“His name was mentioned in the suicide note. Although the family tried to console and support her, she was deeply distressed and chose to end her life, unable to bear the emotional torment,” her brother said.
The woman’s relatives alleged that Mridul did not approve of her marriage to the Japan-based husband, which eventually led to family tensions. At some point, an obscene video was made and distributed to relatives from a fake social media ID.
When contacted for comment, the husband confirmed the accusations against Mridul, claiming his wife was incited to suicide.
He demanded justice.
When contacted by the Prothom Alo daily on WhatsApp on Wednesday evening, Mridul, the Portugal-based relative, denied all allegations.
He claimed that the Japan-based relative (the husband) was actually involved with another woman and did not want to marry the deceased woman but did so under family pressure. He also alleged that the entire situation was staged by the husband to avoid paying the dowry amount of 10 lakh taka.
Regarding the obscene video, Mridul said a 7-minute, 4-second video was sent to his account, which he showed to his wife. Afterward, the Japan-based husband and his family mentally harassed the woman over the video.
Officer-in-Charge of Aditmari Police Station, Md. Ali Akbar, said the autopsy was conducted on Monday at Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital, and the body was then handed over to the family. The family has been advised to file a case.
The woman’s brother said they would file a case under relevant laws regarding the obscene video and instigation to suicide. They claim to have all the necessary evidence.