Sudharam police on Sunday arrested three persons for issuing and executing a fotwa on a man for "unlawfully" divorcing his wife.

Police said, Harunur Rashid of Shalladagi village under Kala Daraf union divorced his wife Rahima Aktar on Friday.

Next morning, the villagers organised a shalish (arbitration meeting).

At the shalish, Mowlana Abdur Razzak, Mohammad Moshin and Nurul Haque Mazhi said Harun did not bear his wife's expenses for long and divorced her "unlawfully".

They prescribed 101 dorras (lashes) for Harun's punishment. The fotwa was executed immediately in presence of hundreds of people.

Injured, Harun complained to Police Superintendent Mesbahun Nabi. Sudharam police lodged a case and arrested the three persons the next day.

The three were produced before court, which sent them to Noakhali Central Jail.