A 19-year-old Hindu youth has died after allegedly consuming poison in Dirai upazila of Sunamganj district in Bangladesh, reportedly following mental distress linked to a small outstanding debt. The incident has sparked allegations of harassment and assault, while police say legal action will depend on the filing of a formal complaint.

The deceased, Joy Mohapatra, was the son of Liton Mohapatra and a resident of Bhangadahar village in Dirai upazila. He died on the morning of January 9 while undergoing treatment at M.A.G. Osmani Medical College Hospital in Sylhet, according to family members and hospital sources.

Local residents and members of the victim’s family told Blitz that Joy had been under mental pressure over an unpaid installment of Tk 500 related to the purchase of a mobile phone. According to them, Joy had bought the handset for Tk 2,500 from Amirul Islam, a grocery shopkeeper of Borhanpur village in the same upazila. Under the agreement, Joy paid Tk 2,000 upfront in cash, while the remaining amount was to be cleared in weekly installments of Tk 500.

Family members claim that Joy had been paying the installments regularly, but there was a delay in clearing the final Tk 500. On the evening of January 8, Joy reportedly went to Amirul Islam’s shop to pay the remaining amount.

Joy’s cousin, Ayan Das, told Blitz that when Joy visited the shop that evening, he was allegedly assaulted and humiliated. “Joy was beaten and his mobile phone was taken away when he went to pay the money,” Ayan Das alleged, adding that the incident caused severe mental stress to the young man.

Relatives further claimed that after the alleged altercation, Joy purchased rat poison from a shop, returned home, and consumed it. According to the family, Joy later informed them around 7:30 pm that he had ingested poison. He was immediately rushed to the Dirai Upazila Health Complex.

Dr. Moni Rani Talukder, Resident Medical Officer of the Dirai Upazila Health Complex, confirmed that Joy arrived at the facility in a critical condition. “I myself was on duty at the time. As the patient’s condition was critical, he was immediately referred to Sylhet,” she told Blitz.

Joy was subsequently transferred to M.A.G. Osmani Medical College Hospital in Sylhet, where his condition continued to deteriorate. Despite medical efforts, he died the following morning.

The accused shopkeeper, Amirul Islam, denied the allegations of assault and any involvement in providing poison. Speaking to Blitz, he said Joy still owed him money not only for the mobile phone but also for mobile recharge services. “Joy owed me Tk 2,500 for my mobile phone and Tk 300 for flexiload. Since he couldn’t pay, I asked him to return the mobile phone,” Amirul claimed.

He also rejected accusations that poison was given to Joy from his shop. “The accusation of giving rat poison is not true. When Joy asked me for poison, I said no. After that, he left. Then I don’t know where he got the poison from. I can’t say anything about it,” Amirul added.

However, Joy’s mother, Shelly Mohapatra, alleged that her son was mistreated over the unpaid amount. “They asked for money and did not get it, so they took the mobile phone from my son,” she said. “Later, when I went to ask for the SIM, they asked me to come in the evening. When I went in the evening, they slapped my son. My son has eaten poison from that shop,” she alleged.

Police said they are aware of the incident and have visited the scene. Enamul Haque Chowdhury, Officer-in-Charge of Dirai Police Station, told the media, “We visited the scene after receiving the information. Legal action will be taken if we receive a complaint.”

As of the latest update, no formal case has been filed. The incident has drawn attention locally, with residents calling for a thorough investigation to determine responsibility and ensure accountability if any wrongdoing is proven.

Please follow Blitz on Google News Channel