It is not only Hena’s memory that haunts her family members. They are also deeply worried about repaying the loan taken for her treatment.
Hena’s father Darbesh Kha, a day-labourer, borrowed Tk 40,000 to arrange her treatment, burial and other relevant expenses such as food and conveyance, family members said.
More than Tk 20,000 was spent for the treatment at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, said Riad Kha, Hena’s cousin who helped arrange the loan.
Hena Akhter, 15, was whipped to death at Chamta under Naria upazila in the district. She was lashed at least 50 times following a fatwa on January 24, witnesses said.
Darbesh, who earns between Tk 120 and Tk 150 a day, said he could not think of taking Hena to the hospital before her condition worsened the day after.
“I had Tk 500 only on that day,” he said.
The family had to pay Tk 1,500 for the first post-mortem, which, ironically found no injury marks on her body.
Darbesh, 50, and his 12-year-old mentally challenged son Iqbal, are the breadwinners of the family of four.
Of the total loan, Tk 10,000 was taken from Brac Bank on condition to repay in 46 weeks at the rate of Tk 250 per week.
The rest of the money was borrowed from relatives and neighbours.
Darbesh is yet to go to work following Hena’s death.
Asked how he will pay off the debt, he only gave a blank look.
