Main accused arrested over killing of youth inside hospital

Police have arrested Fazlul Haque Amini, identified as the prime accused in the case filed over the killing of youth Wahiduzzaman Shamim in Debhata, Satkhira, following allegations of religious defamation.

Amini was arrested during a joint operation by police and the SRB from Krishnanagar area of Kaliganj upazila around 11pm on Saturday.

Debhata Police Station Officer-in-Charge HM Shaheen confirmed the arrest, saying further details would be disclosed later.

Two other suspects had previously been arrested in connection with the case.

According to the case statement and family members, Shamim, who had a mental illness, got into an argument with his wife on Monday evening and used abusive language during the quarrel.

A local man later shared an audio recording of the conversation on social media. Claiming that the recording contained derogatory remarks about religion, Amini went live on Facebook and called on people to gather.

An agitated crowd subsequently vandalised the gate of Shamim's house, took him to a local market and beat him. After returning home in critical condition, Shamim consumed poison.

He was later taken to the chamber of a local village doctor in Kulia, where his stomach was washed. He was reportedly recovering when Amini and his followers took him out of the chamber on Tuesday night and beat him again.

Police rescued Shamim and admitted him to Debhata Upazila Health Complex. Later, a crowd of more than 1,000 people allegedly led by Amini went to the hospital, attacked the facility and took Shamim outside before beating him indiscriminately.

Police rescued him and transferred him to Satkhira Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Following the killing, Shamim's elder brother Abdul Jalil filed a murder case with Debhata Police Station. Ten people were named in the case, while 200 to 250 unidentified people were also accused.

Fazlul Haque Amini was named as the prime accused in the case.