What can you say about a story like this? Imam lets muezzin beat his wife. (Hat tip: Abu Hoo Hoo.)

Hafez Maulana Saiful Islam, imam of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital Jame Mosque, and his assistant Aman Ullah looked on nonchalantly while muezzin Abdul Kader assaulted and critically injured Sabina Islam, wife of Saiful, in the mosque.

Sabina’s father Sirajul Islam filed a case with Ramna Police Station Wednesday under the Women and Children Repression (Prevention) Act accusing Saiful, Kader and Aman. Of them, police yesterday evening arrested Aman from the mosque. The other two are absconding.

In reaction to the arrest, a gang led by Kashem, president of BSMMU Hospital workers’ union, last night staged a showdown with Sabina in the hospital, where she is undergoing treatment.

Witnesses said five angry men, apparently instigated by the imam, tore medical reports of the bruised woman and snatched away other documents from her. Before leaving the scene, they ordered the doctors to immediately release her from the hospital and her family members to vacate the imam’s living quarters.

“We are living under awful pressure and constant fear of assault from them,” said Sabina’s sister Shahida Akhtar, who is looking after the victim’s two children, Shammi and Sakib, in absence of their mother.

Shafi, a BSMMU employee, confirmed, “Saiful and his men are threatening with death to whoever tries to help the poor woman and her kids.”