A thirty-year-old rickshaw puller has died from severe injuries in Pabna after being brutally assaulted by a group of individuals who suspected him of involvement in a local burglary.
The victim, identified as Suman, was the son of Rabi Hossain, a resident of Gachhpara village under the Pabna Sadar Upazila. According to family members, Suman earned his living operating a cycle-rickshaw in the local area. On Sunday afternoon, an unidentified rickshaw driver dumped Suman, who was already in a critical state, near a shop directly opposite his family home. Distressed relatives recovered him from the spot and brought him indoors, but his health deteriorated rapidly. Recognizing the severity of his condition, his family rushed him to Pabna General Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries at approximately 8:00 pm that evening. Relatives noted extensive bruises and visible signs of physical trauma across his body.
Preliminary investigations by law enforcement reveal that the violence was linked to a burglary reported several days prior at a residence in the Bilbhaduri area of Sadar Upazila. Suspecting Suman’s involvement in the incident, a group of local residents unlawfully detained him earlier on Sunday. He was subsequently subjected to intense physical interrogation and torture.
Tarikul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Pabna Sadar Police Station, confirmed that the perpetrators panicked when Suman’s health took a critical turn during the assault. In an attempt to avoid direct responsibility, the assailants hired a local rickshaw to abandon him near his residence.
Although a formal case had not yet been registered at the time of reporting, police have already identified several key individuals linked to the vigilante attack. Targetted drives and raids are currently underway across various parts of the district to apprehend those responsible.
The tragic death has sent shockwaves through the local community, re-igniting concerns over extrajudicial violence and mob justice triggered by unverified accusations. Legal experts and human rights observers consistently emphasize that theft allegations—or any criminal suspicion—must be handled exclusively through due legal process and formal police investigation. Citizens are strictly prohibited from taking the law into their own hands. Distraught family members have demanded a thorough and impartial probe, calling on the authorities to ensure all perpetrators face justice under the law.
