A housewife, allegedly made to swallow a poisonous pellet by her dowry-greedy husband at Khalisha Chapani village in Dimla upazila on Thursday, died at Dimla Upazila Health Complex the same night.

The victim, Smrity Begum, daughter of late Nazmul Mia of Chhatnai Balapara village of Dimla upazila, was married with stone and sand trader Obaidul Islam of Khalisha Chapani village of the same upazila several years ago and a daughter was born to her, family sources said.

Demanding a motorbike from Smrity's family, Obaidul recently started torturing his wife, making her sick.

On Thursday, he made Smrity swallow a poisonous pellet, saying that it will improve her health.

After taking the pellet, Smrity's condition started deteriorating fast and Obaidul took her to Dimla Upazila Health Complex in a critical condition in the evening.

Smrity told the matter to her elder brother and other relatives who came to see her in the hospital. She died a few hours later.

On Friday morning, the victim's elder brother went to Dimla Police Station to file a murder case but the officer-in-charge pressed him to file an unnatural death case or suicide case instead.

Hearing the matter, local people became agitated. To control the situation, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Circle) Shahabuddin went to the spot.

In presence of the ASP and Dimla Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mizanur Rahman police prepared inquest report of the victim.

Later police recorded a murder case filed by Smrity's elder brother Rabiul Islam.