Abdul Alim, a 35-year-old assistant revenue officer at Sylhet Customs, was killed in a road accident on Sunday night while returning home on leave to meet a prospective bride.

Alim was the only son of his parents, who had been preparing to arrange his marriage with considerable enthusiasm. His family had been searching for a suitable bride, and Alim was due to accompany his relatives to see a prospective bride on Monday. Instead, the family spent the night preparing to receive his body.

The accident occurred at around 8pm in the Lalpol area of Feni, only a few kilometres from his home. Alim was travelling by passenger bus after taking leave from his workplace in Sylhet. He was returning to his family home in Baraiyarhat Municipality, Mirsharai, Chattogram, specifically for the planned marriage-related visit.

According to eyewitness accounts, a truck was travelling ahead of the bus. The bus was reportedly moving at high speed when the truck suddenly braked. The bus driver then lost control while attempting to respond to the situation. The vehicle mounted the central road divider before overturning.

Alim died at the scene. At least 10 other passengers were injured in the crash.

His body was recovered and taken to Mahipal Highway Police Station in Feni. After establishing his identity, police informed his family. His father, Mohammad Abdul Kader, travelled to the police station to collect his only son.

The scene at the police station was deeply distressing. Family members said Kader was unable to speak properly in front of the police officers and was overwhelmed by grief. Tears continued to run down his face as he struggled to come to terms with the sudden death of his son.

Alim’s maternal cousins Harunur Rashid and Ariful Islam were with his father at the police station. They communicated with the police and completed the arrangements to take the body home. At around 3am, they left for home with Alim’s body.

Family members said Alim had one sister, who had married seven or eight years ago, leaving him as his parents’ only son. His father had previously worked for the Forest Department and the family had lived in Chattogram city during his service. After retirement, Kader built a new home in Baraiyarhat Municipality, where he and his wife had been living.

The family had reportedly been looking forward to Alim’s marriage. According to Ariful Islam, arrangements were being made to find a bride for him, and his leave from work had been taken specifically so that he could return home for the occasion. The planned visit was therefore expected to be a significant moment for the family.

Instead, the family gathered for his funeral. Harunur Rashid said Alim’s father had hoped to celebrate his son’s wedding with great ceremony, but the sudden loss had left him virtually speechless. Alim’s mother was also repeatedly fainting from grief, relatives said.

His funeral prayer and burial were held at his maternal grandparents’ home in Shubhpur, under Chhagalnaiya upazila of Feni, at around midday on Monday.

Police said Alim’s relatives had requested permission to bury the body without a post-mortem examination. Following their application, the body was handed over to the family.

Sub-Inspector Kabir Hossain of Mahipal Highway Police Station said the bus involved in the accident had been taken into police custody. The truck that was reportedly travelling ahead of the bus, however, was no longer at the scene when police investigated.

Authorities said efforts would be made to identify the truck and take necessary legal action. The circumstances surrounding the crash, including the reported sudden braking and subsequent loss of control of the bus, are expected to form part of the investigation.