A 19-year-old youth has died in Dirai upazila of Sunamganj, reportedly after consuming poison due to mental distress over an unpaid Tk 500 installment.
The deceased, Joy Mohapatra, was the son of Liton Mohapatra of Bhangadahar village. He died on Friday morning while undergoing treatment at Sylhet’s MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.
According to Joy’s cousin Ayan Das, Joy had purchased a mobile phone for Tk 5,500 from grocery shop owner Amirul Islam of Borhanpur village, son of Modris Mia. As per the agreement, Joy paid Tk 2,000 in cash and was supposed to clear the remaining amount in weekly installments of Tk 500.
Although Joy regularly paid the installments, he was delayed in paying the final Tk 500.
Ayan alleged that on Thursday evening (January 8), when Joy went to Amirul’s shop to pay the due amount, he was physically assaulted and his mobile phone was taken away. The family further claimed that Joy was verbally humiliated during the incident. Shortly after, Joy returned home after allegedly buying rat poison from the same shop.
Around 7:30pm, Joy admitted to having consumed poison. He was first taken to Dirai Upazila Health Complex. As his condition deteriorated, doctors referred him to Sylhet Osmani Hospital for advanced treatment.
Dr Moni Rani Talukder, Resident Medical Officer at Dirai Upazila Health Complex, said the patient was in critical condition when brought in and was immediately referred to Sylhet.
Joy’s relative Badal Das said the family rushed to Sylhet after receiving the news. Necessary legal formalities are being completed at Kotwali Police Station before the post-mortem.
Joy’s uncle, Mitu Mohapatra, said the family would decide on filing a case after discussing the matter with Joy’s father.
However, Amirul Islam denied the allegations, claiming Joy owed him Tk 2,500 for the mobile phone and Tk 300 for flexiload. He said he only asked for the phone back after Joy failed to pay. Amirul also denied selling poison, claiming Joy left the shop after being told that poison was not available.
Joy’s mother, Sheli Mohapatra, alleged that Amirul kept the phone in the morning due to non-payment and later assaulted her son when he returned in the evening to collect the SIM card. She claimed Joy consumed poison brought from the shop.
Dirai Police Station Officer-in-Charge Enamul Haque Chowdhury said police visited the spot after receiving information and legal action would be taken if a formal complaint is filed.