Teenager Found Hanging at Shaheed Minar in Manikganj

A 15-year-old boy was found hanging from a pillar of a Shaheed Minar in Manikganj’s Dhaleshwari field on Sunday morning, with police investigating whether the death was a suicide or a planned killing.

The deceased was identified as Shihab, son of Selim Mia of Hijuli area under Manikganj municipality. He worked cutting fish at the raw market near Manikganj bus stand.

Police recovered Shihab’s body from the Shaheed Minar in Dhaleshwari field, in Jagir area of Manikganj Sadar upazila, on Sunday, 9 August. The body was subsequently sent to the mortuary of Manikganj Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination.

According to family members, Shihab had not been regularly staying at home for several days. He would often spend nights outside with friends. On the night before his death, he reportedly left home after telling his family that he was going out with friends.

Shihab’s mother said her son had asked her for Tk500 that evening, saying he wanted to go around the Beutha area with his friends. As the family did not have the money available, she could not give it to him. She said Shihab became upset and subsequently left home with his friends.

The family learnt of his death the following morning. His mother was reportedly informed that her son’s body was hanging from one of the pillars of the Shaheed Minar at Dhaleshwari field.

Following the discovery, questions have arisen over the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death. Police have not yet determined whether Shihab took his own life or whether he was killed and the scene was made to appear as a suicide.

Shihab’s mother has also raised allegations against several local youths in connection with her son’s death. However, there was no immediate police comment confirming or substantiating those allegations.

Manikganj Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monir Hossain confirmed the incident and said the body had been recovered and sent for post-mortem examination. He said investigators were examining all possible explanations, including suicide and premeditated murder.

The post-mortem findings, evidence gathered from the scene and statements from family members and others who were with Shihab before his death are expected to be important in determining what happened. Police said legal proceedings were under way.

As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to establish a clear timeline of Shihab’s movements on the night before his death and determine whether there is evidence of any involvement by others. No definitive conclusion about the cause or manner of death has been reached at this stage.