Father’s Body Kept in Courtyard as Children Block Burial Over Property Dispute

A deeply unsettling family dispute over inheritance has come to light in Hatahazari Upazila of Chattogram, where the body of a deceased elderly man was left unburied in the family courtyard for more than 34 hours, as his children failed to reach an agreement over property distribution.

The incident took place on Sunday, 21 December, in Ward No. 6 of the Hatahazari municipal area. The deceased, Mohammad Sekandar, aged 70, passed away at around 6:00 am on Saturday, 20 December, due to age-related complications. Despite customary burial practices, his remains were placed inside a freezer and kept in the courtyard of the family home, as tensions escalated between his children from two marriages.

Mohammad Sekandar was the eldest son of the late Noksu Mia of the Dhana Mia Sawdagar family, originally from Ward No. 5 of Purbo Mekhal. According to local residents and family members, the conflict stems from a longstanding inheritance dispute. Before his death, Sekandar reportedly transferred all his property through legal registration to his second wife and their children. This decision reportedly caused prolonged resentment among the five children from his first marriage, while the second wife has three children.

Following Sekandar’s death, the children of the second marriage began preparing for the burial. However, these arrangements were halted when the children from the first marriage objected, insisting that burial would not be permitted until their inheritance claims were addressed.

Aysha, daughter of Sekandar’s first wife, stated angrily that her father had deprived them of their rightful share. “He transferred everything to his second wife and her children. Until our share of the property is recognised and resolved, we will not allow our father’s burial,” she said.

In contrast, Imtiaz, a son from the second marriage, appealed for restraint and respect for traditional rites. “Our father deserves a dignified burial. We can sit down and resolve property issues later through discussion,” he said.

As the dispute intensified, Hatahazari Model Police Station intervened. Sub-Inspector Jalal arrived at the scene after being informed of the situation. He confirmed that police were holding discussions with both sides to de-escalate tensions and ensure a lawful and humane resolution. “We are working with all parties involved to reach a peaceful settlement and facilitate the burial as soon as possible,” he said.

Local residents expressed shock and concern, describing the situation as a grim reflection of how inheritance disputes can fracture families and override basic human values.

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