Man tortured for 3hrs over child theft suspicion in Savar

A man was beaten after being tied to a tree for three hours in Savar this afternoon (17 May) over child theft suspicion, police said.

The incident occurred in front of the government rest house near the Savar Upazila Health Complex.

The victim, identified as Abhijit Dey, hails from Sultanpur in Chattogram's Raozan.

According to locals, around 8:15pm, local journalists informed Savar Model Police Station, who promptly rescued the injured man. He was given first aid at the upazila health complex before being taken into police custody.

Savar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Jewel Mia told The Business Standard, "Despite the beating taking place near a government hospital, the authorities did not notify police."

Sub-Inspector Champak Barua, who led the rescue, said, "We responded as soon as we were informed. He seems mentally unstable, and it's unfortunate that no hospital staff reported the incident."

However, Emergency Medical Officer Dr Abidur Rahman said he was unaware of the situation.

Upazila health and family planning officer Dr Touhid Al Hasan said, "If such an incident occurred, the on-duty medical officer should have informed the police immediately. I wasn't notified either.

"I will investigate this tomorrow and take necessary action if any staff is found negligent," he added.

Eyewitnesses and hospital sources said Abhijit had taken shelter in the health complex during rain last night. Hungry and in need of a restroom, he went to the second floor, where attendants of admitted patients mistook him for a thief and chased him away.

Around 4:30pm today, when Abhijit again returned to the hospital, a man named Israfil and a few others began assaulting him on suspicion of being a child thief.

Soon, a group of 20–25 undefined people dragged him to a tree near the rest house, tied him up, and continued to beat him. The victim was also burned with cigarettes.