An elderly auto-rickshaw driver was allegedly stabbed to death during an attempt to steal his vehicle in Kapasia, Gazipur, while his 75-year-old mother reportedly died after learning of her only son’s death.

The deceased driver has been identified as Ata Mia, 60, a resident of Batna village in Ghagotia Chala area of Kapasia upazila. Despite his advanced age and declining physical strength, he continued driving an auto-rickshaw to support his family and help meet their financial needs.

Police recovered his body from a secluded rural road in the Mirzanagar-Shimultali area of Sanmania Union on Thursday evening. Officers said they were alerted through the national emergency service 999 and subsequently went to an isolated section of the Shimultali road near Mirzanagar Girls’ High School.

When police arrived, they found the elderly man lying dead beside the road. His body was later recovered for further legal proceedings.

Police said Ata Mia had visible injuries to his head, apparently caused by a sharp weapon. The circumstances surrounding the death have led investigators to suspect that he may have been attacked during an attempt to seize his auto-rickshaw. The vehicle was reportedly taken from the scene, and efforts are under way to trace it.

The news of Ata Mia’s death caused profound distress among his relatives. According to family members, his elderly mother, Zohura Khatun, became seriously unwell after being told that her only son had died. She subsequently died, leaving the family facing two deaths within a short period.

Shafiqul Islam, inspector-in-charge of the Aral Bazar Police Investigation Centre, said the injuries found on Ata Mia’s head suggested the use of a sharp weapon and that the incident was being investigated with due seriousness.

The officer-in-charge of Kapasia Police Station said the incident initially appeared to be a case of murder. The body was being prepared to be sent to the morgue of Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Investigators are working to establish the exact sequence of events, recover the stolen auto-rickshaw and identify and arrest those responsible. The post-mortem findings are expected to provide further evidence about the cause and circumstances of Ata Mia’s death.