A former bank official allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself in the head with a pistol at his residence in the city’s Double Mooring area on Saturday morning.
The deceased, Shahid Hossain, 45, was a former officer of Al-Arafah Islami Bank.
He was the son of the late Iqbal Hossain and resided in Imam Hossain’s building in the Haji Para area.
Police and family members suspect that mental stress and family problems after he quit his job may have led him to take his own life.
According to family and local sources, Shahid shot himself in the drawing-room of his residence at around 7:45 am on Saturday. Hearing a loud gunshot, family members rushed to the room and found him lying in a pool of blood.
He was immediately rescued and rushed to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH). As his condition deteriorated, he was admitted to Ward No. 28, where he succumbed to his injuries at around 9am.
Nurul Alam Ashek, in-charge of the CMCH Police Outpost, confirmed the death.
The victim’s wife, Sharmin Akhter, said her husband had been under intense mental and family pressure for some time.
“A few months ago, the bank authorities transferred him from Cox’s Bazar to another location, after which he resigned from his job. Since then, family disputes had arisen over various issues,” she said.
Shahinur Alam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Double Mooring Police Station, said preliminary investigations suggest that nearly a year of unemployment, along with various mental and family-related problems might have led to the alleged suicide.
However, the source of the firearm has shrouded the incident in mystery.
“It is still unclear who owns the pistol and how it came into Shahid’s possession. Primarily, we suspect he was keeping the illegal weapon in his custody,” the OC said.
According to the police, Shahid’s wife also claimed to have no knowledge of the pistol. Due to her presence at the hospital, she could not be questioned in detail. An investigation is underway to determine the source and legitimacy of the firearm.
Although the family has not lodged any written complaint with the police station yet, law enforcement officials said a case would be initiated following the completion of the post-mortem and other legal formalities.
