A 30-year-old man has died in hospital after allegedly being detained and beaten on suspicion of involvement in a theft in the Gachpara area of Pabna.
The victim, identified as Sumon, was pronounced dead while receiving treatment at Pabna General Hospital on Sunday (4 October) night. He was the son of Robi Hossain of Gachpara village in Pabna Sadar upazila and worked as a rickshaw puller.
According to members of Sumon’s family, an unidentified rickshaw puller brought him to a shop near his home at around noon on Sunday. He was reportedly in a severely injured condition at the time. The man left Sumon there before departing.
After finding him, family members took him home. His condition deteriorated soon afterwards, prompting them to take him to Pabna General Hospital for treatment. He died at around 8pm, shortly after being taken to the hospital.
Family members said they found marks of injury on different parts of Sumon’s body. They alleged that he had been subjected to severe physical assault before being brought back to the area.
Pabna Sadar police station officer-in-charge Tarikul Islam said the police had received preliminary information that Sumon was detained and physically assaulted on Sunday over suspicion that he was involved in a theft.
A few days earlier, a house in the Bilbhaduri area of Pabna Sadar upazila had reportedly been burgled. Police suspect that Sumon was taken away at some point on Sunday because of allegations linking him to that incident.
According to the officer, Sumon’s physical condition deteriorated during the alleged assault. He was subsequently placed on a rickshaw and left near his home. His relatives then took him to hospital, where he later died.
No case had been filed over the incident by Sunday night, police said. However, investigators have reportedly identified several people suspected of involvement in the assault and are conducting operations to arrest them.
The circumstances surrounding Sumon’s detention, the alleged beating and the decision to leave him near his home are now being examined by police. Investigators will also need to establish whether there was any evidence linking him to the reported theft and determine the individual roles of those suspected of assaulting him.
The death has raised concerns over the use of violence against a person accused or suspected of a crime. Allegations of theft are matters for law enforcement and the courts, while any assault resulting in serious injury or death may lead to separate criminal proceedings.
Police said the investigation is continuing and that further legal action will be taken based on the evidence gathered.
