Cox's Bazar college student found dead in hostel, roommate taken into police custody

Police have recovered the body of a college student from his hostel in Cox's Bazar. 

Munir Chowdhury, an 11th grader hailing from Ukhiya, was found this afternoon (15 May) at the Cox's Bazar Harvard International College hostel in the sadar upazila.

Police have taken Mahmudul Haque, Munir's classmate and roommate, into custody for questioning over the incident.

Confirming the matter, Cox's Bazar Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ilias Khan said upon hearing the news, a police team visited the scene. At that time, Munir's hanging body was recovered from the hostel room.

"The police are investigating to unravel the mystery of the incident. 

The body of the deceased has been sent to the Cox's Bazar District Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy, said OC Ilias Khan.

The family, however, alleged that his body was hanged to stage his death as a suicide.

Arafat Chowdhury, cousin of the deceased, said when he and his relatives reached the scene, they saw Munir's body hanging from the ceiling with his knees touching the floor and hands spread out on both sides of the body.

"The way Munir was found hanging did not appear to be suicide. If suicide, his feet would have been at least slightly above the floor."

Mir Morshed, uncle of the deceased, claimed there were finger marks on both sides of Munir's neck. 

He also said, initially, it was believed that someone living in the same room of the hostel or someone else strangled him to death due to a dispute over some issue. Later, the incident was staged as a suicide, and whoever was responsible hanged Munir's body and fled.