Barguna, Sep19 (V7N)- A tragic incident unfolded at Dhaka University’s Fazlul Haque Muslim Hall, where Masud Kamal Tofajjal (30), a mentally unstable man from Patharghata, Barguna, was killed on suspicion of being a thief. According to his sister, Sharifa Begum, the killers had demanded a ransom of Tk 2 lakh from the family before killing Tofajjal.

Sharifa, speaking to Voice7 News, recounted the distressing events leading to her brother’s death. "Last night, I received calls from two numbers. They identified themselves as Dhaka University students and claimed that Tofajjal had stolen a mobile phone and was detained. They demanded Tk 2 lakh for his release," she said. Despite efforts to reach out to relatives, she could not act immediately, and by the next morning, she received the devastating news that her brother had been killed. "They killed my brother because they didn’t get the money," she added, demanding exemplary punishment for those involved.

Tofajjal was a resident of Charduani village in Kathaltali union, Patharghata upazila of Barguna. Once a promising student and political activist, his life took a tragic turn after a series of personal losses. He completed his Honors and Masters from Pirojpur Govt. Suhrawardy College and was involved in student politics, serving as the president of the Kathaltali Union Chhatra League in his earlier years.

However, his mental health deteriorated in 2020 after the woman he loved was married off to someone else. By this time, Tofajjal had already suffered the loss of his parents—his father died in a road accident in 2011, and his mother passed away from liver cancer in 2013. His elder brother Nasir, a police officer, also died of liver cancer in 2023, leaving Tofajjal without any immediate family except for his sister-in-law and her two children. The once-active young man became mentally unstable and would often wander the streets, relying on the kindness of others for food.

According to Sharifa and other family members, Tofajjal was not a thief but a man struggling with his mental health. "He had been mentally unstable since 2020. He roamed the streets with no one to care for him," Sharifa said. She emphasized that her brother’s condition was well-known in the community, and she is seeking justice for what she believes is a senseless murder.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Patharghata Police Station, Md Al Mamun, confirmed receiving a call from Dhaka regarding the incident. "I was informed that a mentally unbalanced person was beaten to death on suspicion of theft at Dhaka University. After verifying the details, I found out that his home is in Charduani village. He was indeed mentally unstable," the OC said. He also mentioned that Tofajjal’s family has been notified and will bring the body back after completing the legal procedures in Dhaka.

The tragic death of Tofajjal, a man battling mental health issues and loss, has shaken his family and community. Sharifa, who has lost both parents and her only brother, is now left to mourn another loved one. She hopes that those responsible for her brother’s death will be held accountable, ensuring that no other family has to suffer the same fate.

This incident has raised questions about the treatment of mentally ill individuals in society, the dangers of mob justice, and the urgent need for better support systems for vulnerable people.

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