The medical community in Shariatpur is in mourning following the death of Khokon Chandra, a 45-year-old rural physician who succumbed to injuries sustained during a horrific robbery on New Year’s Eve. Mr Chandra passed away at approximately 7:20 AM on Saturday, 3 January 2026, while receiving treatment at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
The brutal nature of the assault, which involved both a life-threatening stabbing and a petrol-fuelled arson attack, has sent shockwaves through the Damudya Upazila. According to Rabiul Haque, the Officer-in-Charge of Damudya Police Station, the incident occurred in the Keurbhanga area as the victim was returning home after shuttering his pharmacy.
Chronology of the Attack and Medical Timeline
| Date / Time | Event Description | Outcome |
| 31 Dec, Night | Ambushed while returning from his pharmacy. | Stabbed in the abdomen; mobile and cash stolen. |
| 31 Dec, Night | Assailants doused the victim in petrol and set him alight. | Severe burns to face and right hand. |
| 01 Jan, Morning | Transferred from Shariatpur Sadar to DMCH. | Placed in critical care/burn unit. |
| 01 Jan, Night | Formal case filed by the victim’s father, Paresh Das. | Three suspects named in the FIR. |
| 03 Jan, 07:20 AM | Victim pronounced dead at DMCH. | Investigation upgraded to a murder case. |
A Barbaric Act of Violence
The details of the crime are particularly harrowing. Police reports indicate that the attackers first stabbed Mr Chandra in the lower abdomen, causing catastrophic internal injuries. To ensure he could not seek help or identify them, the criminals then poured petrol over his body and ignited it. In a desperate act of self-preservation, the physician jumped into a nearby pond to extinguish the flames.
Progress of the Criminal Investigation
The Damudya Police have identified three primary suspects from the Koneshwar area: Sohag Khan (27), Rabbi Mollya (21), and Palash Sardar (25). While a case was initially filed for attempted murder and robbery, it is expected to be escalated to a murder charge following the victim’s passing.
The local authorities have deployed multiple teams to apprehend the suspects, who fled the area shortly after the incident. This tragedy highlights the increasing vulnerability of rural healthcare providers, who often operate late into the night in isolated areas to serve their communities.