Off-screen horror: Sanai sues husband for forcing her into prostitution
The life of model-turned-actress Sanai Mahbub Suprabha has taken a dramatic turn as she steps into the courtroom accusing her husband, Abu Saleh Musa, of dowry harassment and an alarming attempt to push her into prostitution.
Sanai, who first gained fame through her appearances in television and films, filed a formal case on Wednesday, August 6, at the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court, naming her husband as the accused.
The case, submitted before Magistrate Mahbubur Rahman, alleges physical and psychological abuse linked to a Tk 22 lakh dowry demand – and a shocking escalation when the money ran out.
According to the complaint, Sanai married Abu Saleh Musa on May 27, 2022, with her family gifting furniture and 15 gold bars as part of the wedding.
Musa reportedly promised to start a business alongside his job and requested financial support. In response, Sanai contributed Tk 12 lakh from her own savings and Tk 7 lakh from her father, totalling Tk 19 lakh.
But instead of investing the funds, Musa allegedly squandered the entire amount and when the money dried up, the situation turned sinister.
The actress claims that Musa began pressuring her to enter the world of commercial sex work to repay his personal debts. When she refused, he renewed his demand for Tk 22 lakh as dowry and intensified his abuse, both physical and emotional.
The final breaking point came on September 15, 2024, when Musa allegedly assaulted Sanai and walked out of the marital home, declaring he would not return unless the dowry was paid. He also threatened to remarry someone else for a higher price, the complaint states.
In a bid to save the marriage, Sanai’s family invited Musa to their Aftabnagar residence on May 12, hoping for reconciliation. But during the meeting, he reportedly repeated his demand for Tk 22 lakh. When the family refused, he stormed out, again threatening to marry another woman.
Sanai says she made multiple attempts through family, social mediation, and even two legal notices issued on July 7 and 22 to restore marital life without fulfilling dowry demands.
Musa acknowledged the first notice but responded on July 17 with what Sanai described as a “false, fabricated, and defamatory” reply.
Then, on July 31, he showed up at her doorstep and delivered an ultimatum: “No matter how many legal notices you send, I will not accept them or resume family life unless you pay the Tk 22 lakh I have demanded as dowry.”
With that, Sanai decided to take the fight to court.
Her lawyer, Mithun Saha, confirmed: “Sanai Mahbub Suprabha has filed the case citing dowry harassment and emotional abuse. The court has recorded her statement and issued a summons to the accused.”
While Sanai initially entered the entertainment industry with dreams of cinematic stardom, her film career did not take off as hoped. She later transitioned to television and modelling, building a modest but steady presence in the spotlight.