Mob beats patient to death over ‘blasphemy’ at hospital in Satkhira

A group of around 250 people dragged out a youth from a hospital ward and beat him to death at Debhata upazila of Satkhira over allegations he made anti-Islamic remarks.

Wahiduzzaman Shamim, 38, was attacked for the first time on Tuesday afternoon, and was subsequently, admitted to the Debhata Upazila Health Complex, where a mob attacked him for the second time at night, leading to his death.

He lived in Subornahat village in the upazila.

According to local residents, an audio recording containing alleged insults against Islam began circulating on social media over past couple of days.

One, Fazlul Haque Amini, went live on Facebook, alleging that the voice in the audio clips was Shamim’s.

However, his family has sought to water down the allegation, saying Shamim was suffering from psychological disorders recently and was also on medication.

On Monday night, a group of locals went to Shamim’s doors, apparently seeking justice for the alleged blasphemy. Sensing mob fury over the allegations against him, Shamim sought to take his life by drinking poison, his family members told reporters after the mob lynching.

Afterwards, his brothers took him to the chamber of a local doctor to treat him.

On Tuesday afternoon, a mob dragged him out of the doctor’s chamber and beat him mercilessly.

Upon learning of a mob incident, personnel from Debhata Police Station went to the spot, and rescued him, said the police station’s Officer-in-Charge HM Shaheen. Police rushed him to the Debhata Upazila Health Complex.

At about 9:00pm, a group of 200-250 people went to the hospital to beat him up again. Police, Ansar members and hospital employees tried to stop and pacify the crowd.

Finding it difficult to move forward, a group broke through the back door of the ward where Shamim was receiving treatment.

There they started beating him in front of other patients. At one point, the mob dragged him out of the ward and continued beating him.

Police intervened and brought the situation under control, however, it was already too late.

Shamim died while being transported to the Satkhira Medical College Hospital at Satkhira Sadar Upazila for advanced treatment.

Police officer HM Shaheen said that nobody filed a complaint with the police over the incident, adding that legal action would be taken once a complaint was received.