Drug-Addicted Son Jailed in Panchagarh After Attempting to Kill Father

A mobile court in Panchagarh’s Sadar upazila has sentenced a 24-year-old man to one year of simple imprisonment following a violent assault in which he attempted to murder his father with a hand saw. The convict, identified as Miraj Ali, was also fined 100 taka, with an additional three days of simple imprisonment mandated in default of payment.

The summary trial was conducted on Thursday afternoon by the Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate, Fahmida Sultana, who inspected the scene in the Hafizabad Union following a formal written complaint submitted by the young man’s father, Md. Zahidul Islam.

The incident occurred at Bishmoni village under Hafizabad Union, where Miraj Ali’s long-standing addiction to illegal substances had progressively devastated his family. According to his father’s complaint, Miraj had fallen deep into drug abuse over an extended period, which rapidly escalated into habitual theft, violent outbursts, and routine domestic disturbance. Despite his family sending him to rehabilitation centres on multiple occasions, he relapsed each time, returning to drug use and criminal behaviour shortly after discharge.

To fund his addiction, Miraj frequently sold off household furniture and valuables. When family funds ran dry, he resorted to stealing from neighbouring homes in the village. Any attempt by his parents to intervene or stop him was met with physical violence and death threats. His chronic addiction and abusive behaviour eventually led to the collapse of his marriage, as his wife divorced him to escape the ongoing turmoil. Prior to this judgment, Miraj had already served two prison terms on charges related to selling cannabis.

The conflict reached a life-threatening climax on 22 July during a heated domestic altercation. When Zahidul asked his son why he was creating chaos at home, an enraged Miraj fetched a wood-cutting saw from inside the house, held it against his father’s throat, and attempted to slaughter him. Seeing the assault, Miraj’s mother rushed forward to intervene, only for Miraj to turn on her with lethal intent. Both parents managed to break free and fled the homestead to save their lives.

During the mobile court hearing, Miraj confessed to his substance abuse in front of the executive magistrate. A subsequent search of his living quarters yielded various drug-use paraphernalia. Taking into account his voluntary confession, the physical evidence retrieved from the home, and the gravity of the allegations, Magistrate Fahmida Sultana passed the formal conviction under executive judicial powers.

Fahmida Sultana confirmed that administrative officials personally verified the facts on the ground before taking swift legal action. She reiterated that the local administration remains steadfast in enforcing strict legal measures against drug abuse, domestic violence, and actions that disrupt public order across the upazila.