Rickshaw Driver Dies After Alleged Assault Over Road Congestion

A 45-year-old rickshaw driver died after allegedly being assaulted during an argument over traffic congestion in Rajshahi city, prompting police to file a murder case against those accused of beating him.

The deceased, identified as Palash, lived in the Rajarhata area of Rajshahi. His body has been kept at the mortuary of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination. It will be handed over to his family after the examination is completed.

According to police and local sources, Palash suffered from high blood pressure. At around 10pm on Wednesday, he went to a medicine shop in the Malopara area to have his blood pressure checked after feeling unwell. He left his rickshaw by the roadside while he entered the shop.

The rickshaw’s position reportedly caused some congestion on the road. The owner and employees of a nearby homeopathic medicine shop, Seemanta Homeo Hall, asked Palash to move it. An argument followed, which later escalated into a physical altercation.

Police were informed and arrived at the scene. Officers intervened and brought the immediate dispute under control. However, Palash was reportedly unwell following the incident. Local residents took him to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for treatment, where the attending doctor declared him dead.

The circumstances surrounding his death are now being investigated, including the nature of the physical confrontation and whether the assault was directly responsible for his death. As he was known to have high blood pressure, investigators are also expected to consider his medical condition alongside the events that preceded his collapse.

Boalia police station Sub-Inspector Touhidul Islam said the dispute began after congestion developed when Palash left his rickshaw on the road. He said an argument and physical confrontation subsequently took place between the rickshaw driver and several people.

Boalia police station Officer-in-Charge Masuma Mustari said the victim’s family initially submitted a written complaint to the police at around 3am. Some amendments were required in the complaint before the case could be formally registered.

A murder case was subsequently filed against the people accused of assaulting Palash, she said.

The post-mortem examination is expected to provide further medical evidence regarding the cause of death. Police are continuing their investigation into the incident and the roles of those named in the case.

The incident has also raised concerns over how minor disputes involving roadside parking and traffic congestion can rapidly escalate into violence. In busy urban areas, roadside stopping by vehicles is a common source of conflict, but police and local authorities generally advise motorists, drivers and shopkeepers to resolve such disputes without resorting to physical confrontation.