Disabled Driver Distressed After Losing Van at Mosque

A sixty-one-year-old disabled van driver, identified as Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, has been plunged into a severe financial crisis after the theft of his battery-powered van. The vehicle, which served as the sole source of income for his entire household, was stolen whilst he was attending congregational prayers at a local mosque in Kumarkhali Upazila, under the Kushtia district of Bangladesh. Since the incident occurred, the driver and his family have been enduring extremely harsh living conditions.

Incident at the Jotomora Grand Jame Mosque

Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain is a permanent resident of the Mathpara area, situated within Ward Number 7 of the Kumarkhali Municipality. On Tuesday, 2 June, he travelled to the neighbouring Jaduboyra Union for his routine activities. At dusk, he parked his transport vehicle directly in front of the Jotomora Grand Jame Mosque and entered the premises to perform the Maghrib prayer.

Upon completing his prayers and exiting the mosque building, Hossain discovered that his van, which has an estimated market value of approximately 65,000 Bangladeshi Taka, had been stolen. Despite launching immediate searches across various potential locations in the vicinity, he was unable to trace the vehicle. Following his unsuccessful attempts, he approached the local law enforcement authorities and lodged a formal written complaint at the Kumarkhali Police Station on Wednesday, 3 June.

Severe Impact on Family and Medical Welfare

Hossain visited the Kumarkhali Police Station premises to enquire about the progress of his complaint. Speaking with a voice choked with emotion, he recounted the devastating moment he realised his livelihood had been taken away. He explained that he had spent consecutive days approaching the local Union Parishad Chairman, political leaders, and the police administration, yet no tangible outcome had been achieved.

The income generated from the van was entirely responsible for sustaining his family. Hossain stated that while they currently have a basic supply of rice at home, they completely lack the funds required to purchase vegetables or other grocery items, forcing them to survive on leftover soaked rice. He further highlighted that both he and his wife suffer from serious illnesses, and his elderly mother is similarly indisposed. The household requires at least 120 Taka every alternate day purely for essential medication.

Three years ago, Hossain was involved in a major road traffic accident that left his left leg severely damaged. He now walks with a distinct limp. Due to this physical impairment, he is incapable of performing heavy manual labor, leaving van driving as his only viable employment option. Prior to the theft, he was earning between 500 Taka and 600 Taka daily, which was sufficient to manage the basic requirements of the family.

Dilapidated Living Conditions and Local Accounts

A physical inspection of his residential area reveals that Hossain lives in a dilapidated corrugated iron sheet house built alongside the Khaurchara Bazar-Phultala Road. He shares this small dwelling with his dependent family members, including his ailing mother, Nabiran Nesa, his wife, Aleya Khatun, and an unemployed son.

Hossain expressed his deep frustration at the lack of funds to purchase his regular medication, stating that a replacement van is absolutely essential for him to resume working and feeding his family. His elderly mother, Nabiran Nesa, confirmed that her son has been in a state of deep distress since the evening of the theft, noting that his broken leg prevents him from pursuing alternative forms of work.

His wife, Aleya Khatun, disclosed that she has previously suffered two strokes, whilst her mother-in-law suffers from a broken waist. She stated that the family has been unable to purchase groceries or essential medicines for several days, relying strictly on salt and water to consume their remaining rice. She appealed for collective assistance from society to provide them with a vehicle. A local neighbour, Mohammad Panna, corroborated the family’s extreme vulnerability, noting that Hossain lacks the financial means to purchase a new vehicle independently and urged the government to intervene.

Official Investigations and Administrative Statements

Rabiul Islam, a member of the Jotomora Grand Jame Mosque Management Committee, confirmed that the theft took place precisely during the Maghrib prayer service. He noted that the entire incident was captured on the mosque’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage. However, due to clarity limitations, the identity of the thief could not be clearly recognized from the recording. Islam assured that the mosque committee would extend as much assistance as possible within their capacity.

The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kumarkhali Police Station, Jamal Uddin, stated that the law enforcement authorities have accepted the written complaint and are currently verifying the details to trace the stolen property. Furthermore, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Farzana Akhter, stated that the administrative authorities would look into the matter and provide support based on their available resources. She also urged affluent members of the local community to step forward and assist the distressed family on humanitarian grounds.