A 17-year-old schoolboy, Farhan Rahman Jihad, was found dead in a tragic incident of suicide at his family’s rented apartment in Lalbagh, Dhaka, on Sunday evening, 22 March. The incident occurred at around 7:00 pm on the fourth floor of a building near the Shahi Mosque in the Posta area of Lalbagh.
According to family sources, Jihad’s relatives discovered him in a critical condition and rushed him to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Doctors officially declared him dead at approximately 8:30 pm.
Jihad’s elder brother, Fahim Rahman Rudro, told reporters that their family rented the four-storey flat in Lalbagh Posta. Jihad was a tenth-grade student at Islambag Ideal Model School and College. He was the youngest among two brothers and a sister. Their father is Fazlur Rahman, and the family hails from Haimchar Upazila in Chandpur District.
Friends of Jihad revealed that he had been in a romantic relationship with a fellow female student from the same school. On the day of the incident, the couple had gone out together during the afternoon. Later in the day, a dispute arose over mobile phone messages. The girl reportedly told Jihad she no longer wished to continue the relationship.
Distraught and overwhelmed, Jihad reportedly locked his room. After repeated knocking went unanswered, his family broke down the door and found him hanging from a ceiling fan using a scarf. He was immediately taken to the hospital, where doctors confirmed his death.
Police at DMCH, led by Inspector Md. Faruk, confirmed that the family reported the suicide and that the body has been placed in the morgue for autopsy. Lalbagh Police Station is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.
The table below summarises key details of the case:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Farhan Rahman Jihad |
| Age | 17 years |
| School | Islambag Ideal Model School and College |
| Grade | 10th |
| Family | Two brothers, one sister; father Fazlur Rahman |
| Residence | Rented 4th-floor flat, Lalbagh Posta, Dhaka |
| Cause | Suicide by hanging |
| Incident Time | 22 March, 7:00 pm |
| Hospital | Dhaka Medical College Hospital |
| Time of Death | 8:30 pm |
| Investigating Police | Lalbagh Thana |
This incident highlights the urgent need for awareness about adolescent mental health and the pressures faced by teenagers, particularly in matters of relationships and emotional stress. Experts emphasise the importance of supportive family and school environments in preventing such tragedies.
Authorities have confirmed that there are no indications of foul play, but the case remains under investigation to understand all circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event.