Anal gas murder: How the brutal murder was covered up



Tasnim Hassan, Special Correspondent, Barta24.com, Chattogram bureau
Pic: Barta24.com

Pic: Barta24.com

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There is a saloon at the entrance to the Rupali residential area of Chandgaon in Chattogram city. Sameer Ghosh, a garage owner known to the shopkeeper, has come to cut hair in that saloon. In words, the shopkeeper asked Sameer Ghosh whether the family of the employee who was killed by inserting air into the anus in your garage a few days ago has filed a case. Smiling in response to that question, Sameer said, 'If it was a case, would you see me here? He would have stayed in jail for a few days by now.

Then Sameer highlighted how he covered up the murder. He said, 'My younger brother ( runs a shop in front of the CMC hospital) has managed the hospital. I paid the rest by going to that boy's house three times. I also took a written from his parents in the presence of a member of the Union Parishad so that no case would be filed later. There is no more trouble.' Then some people who came to the saloon to cut hair asked Sameer to know how the boy was killed. Seeing the interest of the people around, Sameer avoided saying that he was busy, then quickly left the shop. Incidentally, this reporter was also there.

Barta24.com's investigation started after getting some glimpse of the incident from Sameer's mouth. A long-term investigation revealed how a young man was murdered. And how the murder was covered up.

The name of the victim of murder is Subrata Ghosh. And he was also killed by a young man, his name is Mohammad Rocky. Rocky and Subrata used to work in two garages in Bahaddarhat bus terminal area of Chattogram city. Rocky in Emran Hossain's garage and Subrata in Sameer Ghosh's garage. Both are about the same age, 25-26 years. On March 5, the murder happened at six in the evening in Imran's garage.

From that little matter Rockey and Subrata picked up a quarrel. At time Mohammad Rocky forcibly inserted the nozzle of the blue pipe (wheel cleaning and airing device) into Subrata Ghosh's anus. Instantly Subrata, who was standing, froze and fell down. His whole stomach swelled with air. After that, the nearby people quickly rescued Subrata and took him to a local clinic. From there he was taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital and the air was removed after surgery. But ICU was needed after that. That is why he was taken to the private Parkview Hospital, one kilometer away. But Subrata could not be saved. The eldest son, the main support of the husbandless mother's survival, fell into the lap of death at night.

The murder happened in a crowded area. There are also witnesses who saw the whole incident. But still no murder case! Subrata's mother and brother were not allowed to carry out the post-mortem of the body. Late at night, Subrata's body was sent to Chechuria village in East Chechuria village of Banshkhali. Arrangements were made to cremate Subrata's body in the courtyard of his house before dawn.

The garage owner Sameer Ghosh, who was like a father to Baba Hara Subrata, arranged to cover up the whole incident. And Bikash Dutta, a member of Bailchari Union Parishad, assisted him in this work. Barta24.com's investigation revealed how the incident was covered up after the killing of a fresh young man, how his parents and siblings were kept silent by intimidation.

what happened that day

A lane goes west before the mosque near Bahaddarhat bus terminal. A one-story building is on the right hand side after a little step in that lane. There are rows of shops on both sides of the ground floor of that building. North facing two car wheel repair garage. Among them, the garage on the eastern side belongs to Sameer, where Subrata was working as a manager. The garage opposite is Emran's. This reporter visited the spot three times to find out what exactly happened that day. But no one wanted to be named.

However, some eyewitnesses have highlighted the whole incident. They said, that day was Tuesday (March 5) evening. Rocky was cleaning the wheels with a blue pipe nozzle. Subrata was watching it standing by. At that time, before suddenly realizing anything, Rocky pressed the nozzle along Subrata's anus. Even though Subrata was wearing pants, it was no barrier in front of the high velocity wind. Within seconds, Subrata collapsed with a swollen stomach. Seeing that the situation was dire, the workers of the nearby garage along with Rocky came and took Subrata to a nearby clinic. But as there was no oxygen supply machine there, he was taken to Chattogram Medical College (CMC) Hospital. After being stunned, Subrata's stomach was surgically evacuated. But due to the high velocity air, the sensitive stomach, liver and pulse were damaged. That is why urgent treatment is required in intensive care unit (ICU). But as the ICU was not vacant in CMCH, Subrata was taken to the private Parkview Hospital, a kilometer away. At 12:10 PM there, Subrata fell to his death.

Two eyewitnesses said that Subrata and Rocky had already had animosity for some reason. Rocky wanted to repay that. On the occasion of not having the owner in the garage, Rocky inserted the nozzle along Subrata's anus because long-time garage worker Rocky knows the high-velocity air delivery of this blue pipe nozzle. Such incidents have happened many times in the country. It is not acceptable that Rocky did this without understanding.

Subrata's brother was not informed in the beginning Subrata's younger brother Suman Ghosh already works in the garage. He brought Subrata to Sameer's garage. Even though he worked in another garage, Suman had a good relationship with Sameer. But even after Subrata fell seriously ill, Suman was not informed about his brother's plight. Suman came to know about the incident at eight o'clock in the night, at Subrata CMC Hospital after taking Sameer told that too under duress because such a sensitive patient was not being admitted to the hospital without a guardian.

Subrata's mother Panna Ghosh pointed that out to Barta24.com. She said, 'Suman was called and informed about Subrata at around eight o'clock in the night. After that, Suman called me and informed me about the incident. Basically, in the case of hospitalization, a guardian is needed, that's why Suman was called and taken to the hospital.

Sameer tries to hide the incident

This reporter went to Sameer's garage three times to find out about the Subrata murder. But he was not found. The journalist came and got away with a trick. Although contacted by phone, he disconnected the connection repeatedly citing various problems. Finally last Tuesday Sameer spoke about this.

Sameer Ghosh told Barta24.com, "I was at home at the time of the incident. Later I came to know that Rocky was cleaning the wheels and Subrata was standing there pressing the mobile. At such times, they fought each other because of teasing. Later, Rocky inserted the nozzle into Subrata's anus. Shortly after this, Subrata fell down from standing.

Sameer said that he was taken to CMC Hospital and underwent surgery, "Subrata used to work in my garage. I also had relatives. So I tried to save him. I arranged surgery with CMC Hospital. However, I could not save it.

When asked why no case or legal action was taken, Sameer Ghosh said, 'Rocky ran away soon after Subrata died. I arranged for the cremation of Subrata's dead body on my own initiative and paid all the expenses. Later I called Rocky's father. After reconciling with Subrata's parents, I collected Tk. two lakh from Rocky's father. And Rocky and his father have apologized to Subrata's parents. Since the money has been settled, the incident has not progressed further.

A search at the hospital police outpost did not reveal much about Subrata. Subrata's relatives believe that Sameer Ghosh made arrangements so that the incident did not go to the police.

On the other hand, he was not found in Emran's garage. But when he called, he said, 'I kicked Rocky out of the garage on the day Subrata died. I told you not to come again.

Although he could not say exactly where Rocky's village home is, Emran said, "I know it's in Noakhali." But I don't know which upazila. I heard that Rocky is at home now.

But since Subrata's murder, Rocky is no longer using his old mobile number. His mobile number has been called several times over the past week but has been repeatedly switched off. His father's number was also not available, so it was not possible to talk.

do not know how much money has been settled.

When asked to know from Bikash Dutt, he said, 'This is a long time ago. After Subrata's family informed me about the matter, I sat down and resolved it. It ended on that day.' But when asked about the settlement with money, he avoided it and said, 'You can't talk so much on the phone. Come face to face.

Chandgaon police station is half a kilometer away from the garage where Subrata was murdered. However, even after almost two and a half months of the incident, the police do not know any information about this.

When asked, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chandgaon Police Station Zahidul Kabir told Barta24.com, "We are not aware of the matter." No one complained. But now that I know, I will look into this matter.

Advocate Akhtar Kabir Chowdhury, general secretary of Sushashoner Jonnya Nagrik (Sujan) Chattogram district branch told Barta24.com, "The police have their own sources. They also have community policing. Still, if the police do not know about such brutal murders, what is credible.

Suman left the job under pressure

After the death of his elder brother, Suman joined work in the garage of Bahaddarhat bus terminal area of Chattogram city. But many people went to him and wanted to know about the murder of his brother. As a result, the incident spread. Two people close to Suman said, 'If Suman tried to tell everyone about his brother, others including Sameer Ghosh threatened him. He said, "I took the money, I gave a written bond saying that I will not file a case - even then why are you telling everyone." After that, Suman quit his job in fear. This young man is also avoiding the phone because of fear of the unknown, so it was not possible to talk.

When Sameer Ghosh was asked about Suman, he said, "He has left her job and gone home." But Sameer denied the pressure.

Subrata joined the garage four months ago

Subrata appeared in the SSC examination. However, the study did not proceed further due to failure. Later, Subrata got a job in a drug pharmacy in Habib's shop area. But lost that job during Corona. After that he worked in different places. He worked in a sweet shop before joining Garage. Last December, younger brother Suman brought him to Chattogram city and arranged a job in that garage. Subrata used to get a salary of Tk. 16 thousand there. But after four months of service, he had to return as a dead body.

Two brothers in the city, mother alone in the village. Suman had to be busy every day. So when Thursday came, Subrata used to run to his mother. He used to return to the city after giving time to his mother for two days. Panna Ghosh recalled that and said, 'And after two days, the son would come to me. But before that, Tuesday came but not that fresh boy of mine, but his frozen body.

In the words of Panna Ghosh, on the one hand, the lamentation of losing a son, on the other hand, the desire to get justice for the murder of his son! 

Three doctors are absent for a long time causing sufferings to the patients



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Pic: Barta24.com

Pic: Barta24.com

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The government has taken various initiatives to ensure the presence of doctors and officials in government hospitals. However, a different picture is seen in Barishal's 50- bed Agailjhara Upazila Health Complex. Three doctors of the hospital have been absent for a long time. As a result, patients have to suffer due to lack of proper healthcare.

Allegedly, medical services at the hospital have come to a standstill due to lack of strict supervision. Therefore, many patients are forced to seek treatment in private hospitals.

According to hospital sources, Dr. Abu Bakar Siddique joined Agailjhara Upazila Health Complex as Medical Officer on July 1, 2011. He has been absent since January 4, 2012 after staying at the hospital for just five months. Similarly, Dr. Soma Halder joined the health complex on October 8, 2014. She has also been absent since November 5, 2015, after serving for one year.

Sources also said that Dr. Shahana Rahman joined the hospital on November 25, 2023. She has not been coming to the hospital for the past 8 months.

Although the three mentioned doctors are absent for a long time, no appointments are being made in their place. As a result, patient services are constantly disrupted. Besides, the hospital authorities are also in trouble.

A responsible source of the hospital, on condition of anonymity, said that this alarming situation has arisen due to the non-punishment of those who are negligent in fulfilling their duties. Also there is a lack of strong supervision.

Upazila Health Officer Dr. Bakhtiar Al Mamun said that Dr. Abu Bakr Siddiq and Dr. Soma Halder have been given letters to join the workplace several times. But they are still not back to work. A departmental case is ongoing against them. In addition, Dr. Shahana Rahman has been given several letters to join the work. The Civil Surgeon's office has also been informed about the matter.

He also said that the information of doctors is sent to higher authorities and ministries every month. As such, the ministry is aware of the matter. According to the latest information, one doctor may be out of a job. Of the remaining two, one is abroad, the other I don't know where. Regarding the appointment of doctors, he said, appointment is not possible until the posts are vacant. As a result, it will take time to find a new doctor.

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Three coordinators in DB for interrogation



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Pic: Collected

Pic: Collected

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Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has taken three people, including Nahid Islam, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, into custody from Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in the capital. The other two coordinators are Asif Mahmud and Abu Baker Majumdar.

A DB source confirmed this information on Friday (July 26) night.

DB said three coordinators have been brought to the DB office for security and interrogation purposes.

All three of them are students of Dhaka University.

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What the Home Minister said about lifting of the curfew



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Pic: Collected

Pic: Collected

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Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, everyone has to wait a little with the curfew till public life becomes normal. We are looking at whether the curfew can be relaxed.

He said these things while talking to reporters about the ongoing situation on Friday (July 26) night.

The Home Minister said, we are seeing if the curfew can be relaxed. Police BGB, Army are working. We have to wait a little until public life becomes normal. People should be patient. He also said that a decision may be made subject to discussion on Saturday (July 27).

At that time, he mentioned that there were brutal killings in the name of the movement, and he said, who will take responsibility for this loss of the country? BNP said they are not involved in violence. So who did it? It is a question of the people.

Regarding the arrest of the quota activists, the Home Minister said that the quota agitator leaders themselves are suffering from insecurity. For their safety, law enforcement has been called. Further action will be taken after the inquiry.

Incidentally, the government clamped a curfew from 12 midnight on July 19 to keep the situation normal around the quota reform movement. The army was also deployed.

The curfew was later relaxed for a specified period but has not yet been lifted completely.

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Government to provide treatment & income to all injured: Prime Minister



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the government will provide treatment and income to all those injured in the recent violence, regardless of party affiliation.

She said this while visiting the injured at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday (July 26). Meanwhile, she inquired about the physical condition of the injured.

Sheikh Hasina said that the government will do whatever is necessary for the treatment of those injured in the violence. The government will take responsibility for the treatment of the injured, whichever party they belong to.

She also said, even after accepting all the demands on the quota, why is the movement not ending? Everyone at home and abroad should be vocal against the violence and brutality of BNP-Jamaat.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister visited several wards of Dhaka Medical College Hospital and inquired about the injured. She talked to doctors and nurses. She ordered to give all kinds of treatment to the injured.

Earlier in the morning, the head of government visited the Bangladesh Television (BTV) building damaged by vandals' attack and fire at Rampura in the capital.

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