Garment official ‘dies by suicide’ after alleged workplace humiliation

A senior official of Sharmin Group died after falling from the rooftop of the company's multi-storey building in Narsinghpur, Ashulia, on Wednesday morning.
The deceased, Md Jamal Uddin, 39, was a senior merchandiser of Division-3. He was the son of late Md Sekendar Ali of the Burulia DUET area under Gazipur Sadar Police Station.
Police initially described the incident as suicide, but Jamal's family and colleagues alleged that he was murdered to cover up a dispute.
Sub-Inspector (SI) Fahim of Ashulia Police Station, who conducted the initial examination, said that Jamal might have suffered fractures to his arms and legs. He also had bleeding from his nose and mouth. 
An autopsy was underway at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital. His family members were staying at the police station, while legal proceedings were underway.
According to his colleagues and local residents, the factory owner's son allegedly slapped Jamal and forced him to do sit-ups while holding his ears inside the office. They claimed he jumped from the rooftop because he could not bear the humiliation.
A senior official of the company, requesting anonymity, alleged that Sharaf Hossain, son of Sharmin Group Managing Director and owner Ismail Hossain, had a history of abusive and humiliating behaviour towards employees, adding that they had witnessed such conduct themselves.

Regarding this matter, SI Fahim said that police were considering all information and investigating the allegations.
He also said that it was too early to draw conclusions.Meanwhile, Jamal’s family alleged that he was killed over a workplace-related or personal dispute and that the incident was staged as suicide. 
They also claimed police sent his body to the morgue without allowing them to see it.
His brother, Fakhrul Hasan, said that the family received news of his death around 9:30am, shortly after he arrived at work. The family argued that Jamal, who had a young child and was an established professional, would never commit suicide. 
Fakhrul alleged that factory authorities and insiders were trying to conceal a planned murder.
Jamal’s wife, Nahar, said that he called her around 11:30pm on Tuesday, mentioning trouble at the factory. During another call on Wednesday morning, he reportedly said that the owner was bad and could do anything. She advised him not to go to work, but he feared being framed if he stayed away.
According to her, after reaching the office, Jamal stopped answering calls. About two hours later, someone answered and said he was unwell, advising hospitalisation.
The family was subsequently told he had died by suicide, a claim Nahar rejected.
Sharmin Group Managing Director Ismail Hossain said that Jamal arrived early. CCTV footage, provided to police and journalists, reportedly showed him talking on his phone for two minutes, sitting on the rooftop safety wall for 15 minutes, then jumping. 
SI Fahim confirmed police viewed the footage, which was also shown to journalists.
Ashulia police station Inspector (Investigation) Harun or Rashid said that police were investigating. The autopsy report would help establish the cause of death and whether Jamal had been assaulted. He said that further details would be shared after the investigation.