Elderly Man Dies After Chasing Suspected Phone Thief in Rajoir
An elderly man has died in Rajoir, Madaripur, after falling ill while chasing a man accused of stealing his mobile phone. Merjan Sheikh, 65, collapsed on Saturday morning (24 October) at Tekerhat Bazar in the upazila, in an incident that has shocked the local community.
The deceased, Merjan Sheikh, was a resident of Boulgram in Rajoir upazila and the son of Milan Sheikh. The man detained over the theft allegation is Hasibul Khan, 30, son of Elias Khan of Dwaradia village in Badarpasha union of the same upazila, according to police and local sources.
Police, local residents and the victim's family say the chain of events began on 20 October. On that day, Hasibul Khan reportedly went to Merjan Sheikh's home in Boulgram seeking donations for a madrasa. It is alleged that, seizing an opportunity, he stole an Android mobile phone from the house and fled.
Since then, Merjan Sheikh had been looking for the accused, hoping to recover his phone. On Saturday morning he spotted Hasibul at Tekerhat Bazar and gave chase. For a man of his age, that run proved fatal.
After running some distance, Merjan Sheikh suddenly fell ill. Local people rescued him and rushed him to a private hospital, where the doctor on duty declared him dead. As the news spread, grief and anger swept through the market area.
Meanwhile, local residents detained Hasibul Khan after the incident. He was reportedly beaten before being handed over to police. He is now in police custody, according to sources.
Rajoir police station's officer-in-charge, Sheikh Aminul Islam, confirmed the incident. He said legal measures would be taken after visiting the deceased's home, adding that police are investigating and that necessary steps would be taken against the accused.
Local people say it is deeply saddening that the theft of a single mobile phone has cost an elderly man his life. In their view, although the accused could have been handed over to the law, the elderly man put himself at risk by chasing him personally. They are demanding a proper investigation and support for the bereaved family.
The family has been plunged into mourning. Relatives claim that had the theft been dealt with properly earlier, the outcome might have been different. They have demanded exemplary punishment for the accused.
Police say legal procedures concerning the body will be followed and further action will be taken after verifying the allegations. The incident remains a topic of sorrowful discussion in the area, as many lament how a petty theft turned into an irreparable loss for one family.
