Joy Mahapatra’s Death in Sunamganj Sparks Outrage: Family Accuses Amirul Islam of Beating and Humiliation

Sunamganj’s Dirai Upazila is in shock following the death of 21-year-old Joy Mahapatra, whose family claims he was driven to ingest poison after being physically assaulted and publicly humiliated by local shopkeeper Amirul Islam over a 500-taka debt.

According to family members and local sources, Joy had purchased a mobile phone from Amirul Islam of Burhanpur village, for 5,500 taka. He had paid 2,000 taka upfront with the remaining amount scheduled in weekly installments of 500 taka. While Joy had been regularly paying, he reportedly fell behind on the final 500-taka installment.

Joy’s cousin Ayon Das recounted, “On Thursday evening, Joy went to Amirul Islam’s shop to pay the money. He was beaten mercilessly, verbally humiliated and had his mobile phone seized by shopkeeper Amirul Islam Following this incident, Joy returned home after purchasing rat poison from the same shop.”

Ayon further stated that around 7:30 PM, Joy confessed to consuming the poison. He was immediately taken to Dirai Upazila Health Complex and as his condition worsened, he was referred to Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the next morning.

Dr. Moni Rani Talukdar, resident medical officer at Dirai Health Complex, confirmed that Joy’s critical condition necessitated urgent referral to Sylhet.

The accused shopkeeper Amirul Islam has denied the allegations. He claimed that Joy still owed 2,800 taka for the phone and a “Flexiload” transaction, insisting he only demanded the phone’s return and did not provide poison.

However, Joy’s mother, Sheli Mahapatra, insists that her son’s death was directly linked to Amirul Islam’s abusive and provocative conduct. “When my son went to pay the remaining money in the morning the shopkeeper took his phone and humiliated him. Later, he physically assaulted him at home, making him ingest something. My son collapsed immediately afterward. He brought the poison from that shop,” she said.

Dirai Police Station Officer-in-Charge Enamul Haque Chowdhury said the scene had been inspected, and legal action will follow if complaints are filed.