Play store
A 26-year-old man died after allegedly being tied to an electricity pole and beaten over suspicion of theft in Maheshkhali upazila of Cox’s Bazar.
The incident occurred around 9am Tuesday in East Fakiraghona area of Boroh Maheshkhali Union, according to local residents and police.
The deceased was identified as Md Faisal, son of Badsha Mia of the same area.
According to locals, Faisal was detained early Tuesday after he was allegedly caught while attempting to enter a house. He was later tied to an electricity pole beside a road and beaten. Several bricks were reportedly placed on his back during the alleged assault.
Faisal became critically ill and was taken to Maheshkhali Upazila Health Complex around 9am. An emergency department physician declared him dead.
A video purportedly showing the assault has circulated on social media. Police said they have collected footage and are working to identify those involved.
Maheshkhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdus Sultan said a man named Rifat Muhammad Tawqi, reportedly from the house where Faisal was allegedly accused of attempting theft, had been detained in connection with the incident.
However, accounts regarding Faisal’s background differ.
Ali Akbar, a member of Boroh Maheshkhali Union Parishad, alleged that Faisal was a habitual thief and had been caught during an attempted theft. He nevertheless said that beating someone to death over an allegation of theft was unacceptable.
Faisal’s father, Badsha Mia, rejected the allegation, saying his son was a day labourer and had been falsely accused of theft before being publicly assaulted.
Police visited the health complex around 11am, prepared an inquest report and sent the body to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for autopsy.
The OC said police were reviewing the video footage to identify others allegedly involved. He added that legal action would be taken after receiving a written complaint from the victim’s family.