Shahadat Hossain Charged with Physically Torturing 11-Year-Old Domestic Servant

Bangladeshi cricket star Shahadat Hossain is facing charges over allegations that he tortured an 11-year-old domestic servant. Hossain has been formally charged for "physically torturing" female Mahfuza Akhter, also known as "Happy," according to the Guardian's Damien Gayle.

Hossain could face as many as 14 years in prison if found guilty. The 29-year-old's wife, Nritto Shahadat, has also been named in the charges.

According to Gayle, Hossain went on the run from authorities for four weeks before turning himself in back in early October. His wife had been arrested the previous day.

The case was made when Akhter was discovered wounded on a Dhaka street in September. Gayle describes Akhter as suffering from numerous injuries, including a broken leg.

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At the time, Hossain had filed a report that his servant had gone missing, according to bdnews24.com (h/t Gayle). During an interview with CNN's Sugam Pokharel (h/t Gayle), Akhter described her escape after prolonged suffering that included physical beatings and deprivation: "When the house maid came inside the house, she opened the door. While the door was open, I ran out of the house. I was in a lot of pain. While I was walking on the road, people were staring at me. I covered my eye because it was bruised and it was hurting."

Pokharel reported that among the charges are accusations of "child repression," as well as "employing a minor."

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Hossain's status in the game includes a place on the honours board at Lord's, as the Guardian's Vic Marks noted. It was a first for his countrymen, per Gayle.

Now, he and his wife could face prolonged prison time for violating Bangladeshi domestic abuse legislation.