The Daily Star has withdrawn a report that claimed a Hindu community leader in Dinajpur was beaten to death after abduction, following widespread criticism and confirmation that the man had died of natural causes.
The man, identified as Bhabesh Chandra Roy, 58, died on 17 April. While his family has raised concerns over the circumstances of his death, medical evidence and police investigations indicate he died from illness, not assault.
In a statement posted on its website, The Daily Star said: “In the course of our internal review, we found that the report was filed and published without adequate due diligence. This led us to conclude that it falls short of The Daily Star's editorial standards, particularly in fact-checking and source verification. We have therefore decided to remove the article from our website.”
The statement added: “We unequivocally acknowledge that the text carried on our website does not meet the authentication standards of this paper and hence should not be used as a source and those who have done so should delete it as a reference.”
According to Bhabesh’s wife, he had gone out with four younger companions on the day of his death: Md Ratan, Akhtarul Islam Atiq, Md Rubel Islam, and Munna Islam.
Local residents Bhagyaban and Afsar told police that Bhabesh, Ratan, and Atiq were occasionally known to use drugs together.
Matiur Rahman, a 52-year-old betel leaf vendor, said Bhabesh collapsed while chewing betel leaf at Narabari Bazar, after which several locals and his companions rushed him to a village physician.
The physician reportedly found no detectable blood pressure and advised that Bhabesh be taken to a hospital. His companions then contacted his family, and together they took him to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.
The family notified police the same night and expressed doubts about the sudden nature of the death. “He was fine when he left the house—how did he die in three hours?” they asked.
Police confirmed they conducted an inquest and subsequently sent the body for post-mortem examination.
No signs of injury
Sub-Inspector Md Golam Rabbani of Biral Police Station said the inquest found no external injuries on Bhabesh’s body.
“We did not find any signs of physical assault or injury on any part of the deceased’s body,” he told reporters.
The report stated that Bhabesh’s “head, face, ears, nose, and other organs appeared normal,” though “a light liquid substance was found coming out from the left side of the mouth.”
Bhabesh, a resident of Basudevpur village in Shahargachh union of Biral upazila, served as vice-president of the local Puja Udjapan Parishad. Locals described him as a sociable individual, although some alleged he had a history of drug use. His financial situation had reportedly worsened in recent years, leaving him dependent on others.
Final hours
On 17 April, around 5:00–5:30pm, four young men—Ratan, Atiq, Rubel, and Munna—came to Bhabesh’s house on two motorcycles and took him to Narabari market.
Eyewitnesses told the Daily Sun that Bhabesh and the youths were seen drinking tea at a stall in Narabari Bazar around 7:00pm. “They all looked normal and showed no signs of illness,” said tea vendor Ohidul and his son Helal.
Shortly after, Bhabesh reportedly chewed betel leaf and cigarettes, leaned against a shop pillar, and collapsed.
According to Matiur Rahman, the betel leaf seller, Bhabesh had bought lime and raw areca nut from his shop before he became unwell.
Local doctor Liton checked his condition and found his blood pressure was undetectable. He advised immediate transfer to a hospital.
The group then consulted another rural doctor, Abdur Rahman, whose son Sohel Rana also recommended hospitalisation.
Ratan called Bhabesh’s son, Swapan Chandra Roy, who was in Dinajpur town. “He asked me to send an ambulance from Dinajpur,” Swapan later confirmed.
Swapan arrived with the ambulance at Fulbari Haat around 8:30pm. By then, Bhabesh’s wife and brother-in-law had also joined. They reached Dinajpur Medical College Hospital around 9:18pm. Doctors on the third floor performed an ECG and declared him dead.
The body was sent for autopsy that night. Police arrived at the home around 12:30am and conducted an inquest. Final rites were conducted after the post-mortem.
Police say a full investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Bd-pratidin English
