Patuakhali: Two minor siblings were allegedly beaten, tied to a tree, and tortured over a theft charge in Rangabali upazila of Patuakhali district. The incident reportedly took place on Sunday afternoon in Kolagachia Char of the upazila. The victims were identified as Shamim, 7, and his younger brother Jihad, 5, two sons of Swapan Dalal.
According to United News of Bangladesh, family members stated that the two children were first beaten on allegations of theft at a shop and later tied to a tree with ropes. Shamim’s hair was also partially shaved as part of the alleged punishment. Laily Begum, the mother of the two children, said she found them tied to a tree when she rushed to the spot. “They were crying. When I asked why this was done, I was told they had stolen something. But my sons had gone there to collect firewood and found a rope near the shop. They were falsely accused and punished,” she said.
Swapan Dalal, the father of the two children, also alleged that the accused threatened them when they protested the incident. A written complaint was lodged with Rangabali Police Station on Monday night. The accused, Al Amin, is an employee of a shop owned by Tofayel Dalal. Contacted, the shop owner claimed the boys had previously broken into his shop and attempted theft again on the day of the incident. He admitted that the children were tied but denied allegations of beating them and forcibly shaving the boy’s head.
Elias Hossain Munshi, Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) of Rangabali Police Station, said police have received the complaint, and an investigation is underway. Legal action will be taken based on findings, he added.