Omar Faruk, a 38-year-old van driver, was tortured in public for nearly two hours in Bagmara, Rajshahi, after being accused of theft — and was later sent to jail by a magistrate instead of hospital care. He died three days later while undergoing treatment, raising serious questions about mob violence and failures by authorities.
Police have arrested two CNG autorickshaw drivers — Jewel and Rahidul — in connection with the killing. They were sent to jail on Tuesday. However, witnesses say several others directly involved in the torture remain unaccounted for.
‘They beat him, nailed him, and denied him water’
According to eyewitnesses, the incident took place on 17 December in front of the Bhabaniganj CNG stand. Faruk had parked his van and stepped aside to urinate. When he returned, he was accused of theft by Rezaul Karim, president of the CNG Owners’ Association, and Abdul Matin, its general secretary.
They allegedly detained him publicly.
Witnesses say 10 to 15 members of the association then joined the assault, beating Faruk with iron rods. At one point, Rezaul Karim and Abdul Matin allegedly hammered eight to ten iron nails, several inches long, into Faruk’s wrists and ankles using a hammer.
When Faruk begged for water, he was stripped naked and repeatedly submerged in water. His uncle later brought a bottle of water, but attackers reportedly snatched it away.
In the final act of torture, witnesses say dry chilli powder was forced into Faruk’s anus.
From mob custody to jail, not hospital
As Faruk’s condition worsened, police were informed. Witnesses allege officers initially refused to take him.
Later, following police communication, Saiful Islam Bhuiyan, assistant commissioner (Land) of Bagmara and an executive magistrate, arrived at the scene. He sentenced Faruk to seven days’ imprisonment under a mobile court, accusing him of possessing cannabis.
Locals claim the drug allegation was staged to suppress the torture case. However, Magistrate Saiful Islam Bhuiyan said he did not see Faruk in a critical condition and believed him to be intoxicated rather than dying.
Faruk was sent to Rajshahi Central Jail in a severely injured state.
Death in hospital custody
Mushfiqur Rahman, superintendent of Rajshahi Jail, confirmed that Faruk had been sent to jail after a mob beating and was later transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital as his condition deteriorated.
Faruk died on 20 December while undergoing treatment.
Following his death, post-mortem examiner and executive magistrate Borhan Uddin Antor said bruises were found on Faruk’s knees and wrists.
Autopsy doctor Sharmeen Sobhan Kaberi said Faruk had older injury marks and suffered from kidney disease and diabetes. However, neighbours who washed his body said there were visible signs of torture “from head to toe”.
Prison and hospital sources confirmed that police brought Faruk to jail in a sick condition and that he was later hospitalised as his health worsened.
The case has triggered widespread outrage, particularly over the decision to jail a critically injured man instead of sending him directly to hospital.
Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr A N M Bazlur Rashid said the entire matter would be investigated and necessary steps taken.
Faruk’s family has yet to file a case, though Bagmara police told TIMES of Bangladesh on Wednesday night that they had urged the family to do so.
Faruk’s parents — Moslem Sardar and Parul Begum — have demanded justice for what they describe as a brutal and merciless killing.
