A court in Barishal has reportedly issued an arrest warrant against Md. Kabir Hossain, a tax inspector working at the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Taxes, Tax Circle-543, under Dhaka Tax Zone-25. According to sources familiar with the case, the warrant was issued on October 11, 2026, following a case filed by his second wife, Hafsa Akter Babli, over allegations of fraud.

According to the information provided, an order signed by Selim Ahmed, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of the Barishal Metropolitan Magistrate Court, directed the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Paltan Police Station to take steps to arrest the accused. However, the court order has not been independently verified.

The complaint alleges that Kabir Hossain concealed information about his previous marriage and two children before marrying Hafsa Akter Babli. The marriage was reportedly registered on April 16, 2025, in the presence of witnesses, with the dower (mahr) fixed at Tk 50 million. Hafsa is the daughter of Md. Belayet Hossain Sheikh, a resident of Pirojpur.

According to the allegations, Kabir Hossain returned to his first wife a few months after the marriage without informing his second wife. Hafsa further alleged that on August 12, 2026, he informed her over the phone that he intended to divorce her and threatened her against filing a case or taking legal action over the dower money. Sources associated with the case claim that a recording of the conversation has been preserved.

Hafsa has also alleged that Kabir Hossain filed cases against her to avoid paying the dower money. She claims that a court has already dismissed one of those cases. In addition, she has accused him of physical abuse and intimidation. These allegations require verification through relevant court records and statements from the parties concerned.

Sources familiar with the case further claim that Kabir Hossain went into hiding after learning about the arrest warrant and did not inform his senior officials. Some of his colleagues have also alleged that complaints of irregularities had previously been raised against him and that he had received show-cause notices in connection with those allegations. No official statement from the relevant department has been obtained regarding these claims.

Under applicable Muslim family law, dower is a legally recognized right of a wife. A husband's decision to divorce his wife does not automatically extinguish his obligation to pay any outstanding dower. However, the amount payable, the status of any previous payments, and the legal liabilities of the parties must be determined in accordance with the applicable law and relevant court records.

Commenting on the issue, Regina Parvin, former director of Ain o Salish Kendra, said that a woman should not be deprived of her legally entitled dower. She described dower as an important right and a component of women's social security. In her view, allegations of evasion or improper conduct should be investigated and addressed through appropriate legal action.

Representatives of several women's rights organizations have also reportedly stated that women who are denied their lawful dower may seek legal assistance from relevant human rights organizations.

According to sources, the arrest warrant has reached Paltan Police Station, where Officer-in-Charge Md. Arif Hossain is reportedly overseeing efforts to arrest the accused. However, an official confirmation from the police could not be obtained.

When contacted by phone for comment on the allegations, Kabir Hossain reportedly requested that the news not be published and asked the reporter to provide a bKash number so that he could send money for “tea expenses,” according to the reporter's account. This statement has not been independently verified.

The allegations against Kabir Hossain, including the reported arrest warrant, should be assessed in light of verified court documents and official records. His detailed response, along with comments from the relevant authorities, should be included in any subsequent update to ensure balanced and accurate reporting.