University Employee Thrown from Fifth-Floor Balcony Following Brutal Assault

A laboratory attendant from Jahangirnagar University is fighting for his life in a Dhaka hospital after being brutally assaulted and allegedly thrown from a fifth-floor balcony by his wife and brothers-in-law. The incident, which stems from a domestic dispute and an alleged financial fraud, took place in the capital’s Uttara sector 4.

The victim, identified as 25-year-old Sajib Pramanik, survived the fall but sustained catastrophic injuries. Doctors at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), commonly known as the Pangu Hospital, confirmed that the impact broke both of his arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.

Following the horrific assault, the victim’s father, Munnaf Pramanik, filed a formal case with the Uttara East Police Station on Thursday. The case names Sajib’s wife, Shahzadi Akhter, 30, and her two brothers, Shahadat Hossain, 35, and Shamsuddin Shawon, as the primary accused. Charges filed against the trio include attempted murder alongside several other stringent sections of the Penal Code.

A History of Dispute and Financial Fraud

According to police sources and the case statement, Sajib, who works in the Department of Geography and Environment at Jahangirnagar University, married Shahzadi three years ago. The marriage was reportedly turbulent from the beginning, marred by frequent domestic disagreements.

The situation escalated recently after Shahzadi went to visit her paternal home in Uttara. On 18 June, Sajib travelled to his in-laws’ residence to reconcile and bring his wife back to their marital home. However, the following morning, a heated argument erupted between the couple over unresolved domestic matters.

During the altercation, Shahzadi summoned her two brothers to the house. Driven by anger, the brothers launched a vicious physical assault on Sajib, repeatedly punching, kicking, and beating him. As the assault intensified, the attackers dragged the defenceless university employee towards the fifth-floor balcony.

Desperate Struggle for Survival

Speaking from his hospital bed, an emotional and tearful Sajib recalled the terrifying moments before his fall. He stated that his brothers-in-law dragged him to the edge and attempted to heave him over the open space above the balcony’s safety grille.

Sajib managed to grab the metal bars in a desperate bid to save his life. Unmoved by his pleas, the attackers forcefully broke his grip and pushed him into the void.

Realising the severity of his injuries after the plunge, the attackers picked up the unconscious victim and transported him to the hospital. Sajib claimed that during the journey to the medical facility, his in-laws repeatedly threatened to kill him if he revealed the truth to the police or filed a lawsuit.

Adding another layer to the dispute, Sajib revealed that the animosity was partly fuelled by a financial betrayal. He had previously given five lakh Taka to his brother-in-law, Shahadat, to purchase gold jewellery for his sister’s child. Shahadat allegedly embezzled the entire amount and refused to return it, creating severe friction between the families.

Police Investigation and Status of the Accused

The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Uttara East Police Station, Morshed Alam, confirmed that the police are treating the matter with the utmost seriousness. Investigators have already visited NITOR to record Sajib’s official statement under Section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The police chief described the victim’s medical condition as critical, noting that he requires intensive orthopaedic care and multiple surgeries to repair his shattered skeletal structure. Following the filing of the attempted murder case, all three accused individuals fled their residence and are currently hiding to evade justice. Law enforcement agencies have launched coordinated raids across the capital to apprehend the fugitives.