The prisoner, identified as Hasmat Ali, 44, is the son of the late Chhamed Ali Chham of Ramdebpur village in Ghatail upazila, Tangail. He was serving a life sentence at Kashimpur High Security Central Jail in Gazipur in connection with a criminal case.
According to prison authorities and hospital sources, Ali first complained of severe abdominal pain at around 7.30pm on 31 October. As his physical condition deteriorated, he was promptly transferred to Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj before being referred for further medical attention.
Medical examinations identified a complicated condition described as ‘acute abdominal with epigastric mass’. Given the seriousness of his condition, he was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for specialised treatment.
Doctors carried out emergency investigations after his admission and discovered a substantial quantity of metallic and other indigestible materials inside his abdomen. The findings raised concerns about the potential complications caused by the accumulation of foreign objects in his digestive system.
On 4 November, surgeons performed an operation to remove the objects. During the procedure, they recovered more than 50 gas lighters, as well as nail cutters, iron screws and pieces of brick. The discovery was particularly unusual because the objects included both sharp metallic items and materials that the human digestive system cannot break down.
Abdullah Al Mamun, senior jail superintendent of Kashimpur High Security Central Jail, confirmed the incident and provided an explanation of the circumstances surrounding Ali’s behaviour.
He said Ali had suffered severe psychological distress after his father was murdered. Following the incident, he reportedly struggled to cope with the emotional trauma.
While in prison, Ali expressed an interest in keeping himself occupied with different activities in an attempt to distract himself from his distress. The prison authorities subsequently assigned him cleaning duties.
However, according to the jail superintendent, Ali began secretly collecting discarded gas lighters and other objects from rubbish while carrying out his cleaning responsibilities. He would then swallow the items without informing prison officials. The behaviour continued until he eventually developed serious health complications.
His condition came to the attention of the authorities after he became severely ill and complained of intense abdominal pain. Subsequent medical examinations revealed the extent of the problem, leading to his transfer to hospital and the eventual operation.
The incident has also drawn attention to the importance of monitoring the physical and psychological well-being of people held in correctional facilities. Prisoners experiencing severe emotional distress may sometimes develop unusual or harmful behavioural patterns, making early identification and appropriate medical intervention particularly important.
Swallowing foreign objects can cause serious medical complications, including intestinal obstruction, internal injuries, bleeding and infection. Sharp or metallic materials can pose additional risks, while non-digestible substances may remain in the digestive tract and require medical or surgical removal.
Prison authorities have confirmed that Ali is currently recovering following the successful operation and is out of danger. He remains under medical treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, under the supervision of Keraniganj Central Jail authorities.
His recovery will depend on continued medical care and monitoring. The incident has highlighted the challenges prison authorities face in addressing not only the security of inmates but also their underlying health and psychological needs.
