A man was beaten to death by a mob in Kathalia upazila of Jhalakathi while allegedly preparing to steal an electrical transformer early Wednesday.
The deceased was identified as Rajjak Hawlader, 50, son of Sultan Hawlader of the same area.
According to local sources, he was a folk singer by profession.
The incident occurred around 1:30am in Bashbunia village under Amua union. Locals reported Rajjak was caught red-handed while removing parts from a tractor kept in a field in front of Haidar Ali Munshi’s house.
He was reportedly preparing to steal a transformer from the adjacent power line when villagers caught him.
An agitated crowd beat him, leaving him unconscious due to severe injuries. He was taken to Amua upazila Health Complex, where the duty doctor declared him dead.
Nasir Raihan, officer-in-charge of Kathalia Police Station, confirmed that police visited the scene after being informed.
He said the body was sent for autopsy. The incident is under investigation, he added.
