A 55-year-old man has died in hospital after allegedly being brutally beaten over accusations of fish theft in Tala upazila of Satkhira. Kshitish Chandra Mondal was reportedly detained and assaulted at a fish farm in the Jeala Uttar Khola wetland in the early hours of Friday, 16 October. He died while receiving treatment at around noon.
According to local sources, the incident took place at around 3am at a fish farm owned by Biswanath Ghosh in the Jeala Uttar Khola government wetland. Kshitish was allegedly caught on suspicion of stealing fish. Around 15 to 20 people, including fish farm worker Gaffar, Biswanath Ghosh, Shimul Ghosh, Habibur Gazi, Ibrahim Khan and Samor Ghosh, were accused of taking part in the assault.
According to the allegations, Kshitish was struck on the head with a sharp weapon during the beating. He was also allegedly attacked with iron rods and hammers, leaving his arms and legs broken and causing severe injuries to several parts of his body.
After receiving news of the assault, Kshitish’s wife, Sulekha Mondal, rushed to the scene. With help from neighbours, she rescued her husband and arranged for him to be taken to hospital.
Kshitish was admitted to Tala Upazila Health Complex at around 8am on Friday in critical condition. Despite efforts to treat him, he died at approximately noon. Doctors had been preparing to transfer him to Satkhira Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment when his condition deteriorated.
Local witnesses, including Partha Mondal and Prakash Mondal, said Kshitish had sustained serious injuries across his body. They reported that both his arms and legs were broken and that there were multiple wounds on his head, allegedly caused by a sharp weapon.
Speaking about the incident, Sulekha Mondal said she found her husband still able to speak when she reached the wetland. According to her, Kshitish identified several people who had allegedly taken part in the beating. She later helped arrange his admission to the local health complex with assistance from neighbours.
However, Kshitish died while undergoing treatment. His wife has demanded a fair investigation and justice for her husband’s death.
Dr Sirajul Islam, a physician at Tala Upazila Health Complex, confirmed that Kshitish was brought to the hospital in a critical condition at around 8am. He said preparations were under way to transfer the patient to Satkhira Medical College Hospital for better treatment, but he died before the transfer could take place.
Tala Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Mohsin Ali confirmed the incident. He said arrangements were being made to send the body for a post-mortem examination and that legal action would be taken in connection with the case.
The allegations surrounding Kshitish’s death have raised concerns among local residents. The circumstances of the assault, the identities and roles of those involved, and the events that led to his death will need to be established through a police investigation and the post-mortem examination. The allegations against the named individuals have not been established as proven facts.
