Recently, a video has been circulating on social media showing a man being tied to a tree and exposed to fire, with claims that the victim is a Hindu.
See the posts circulated on Facebook here (archive), here (archive), here (archive), here (archive), and here (archive).
See the post circulated on X here (archive).
Fact-Check
An investigation by the Rumor Scanner team revealed that the person tied to the tree and exposed to fire is not Hindu but a Muslim named Shahidul. His father’s name is Kimmat Ali.
During the investigation, a post was found from a Facebook account named Parvez Mallik on March 10. The video in the post matches the widely circulated video.
The caption of the post states that, two mobile thieves were caught by the public in Jamunabad, Habiganj.
On the same day, another video posted by Md. Tufajjol Islam was found on Facebook. In this video, a detained person in Jamunabad accused of mobile theft makes a statement. He identifies himself as Shahidul, son of Kimmat Ali.
Further investigation into a local news report published today (March 11) on the website of Daily Habiganj Samachar (archive) confirms that two mobile phones were stolen on March 8 from the house of Abdul Qayyum Mia in Jamunabad (Ward 6) of Lamatasi Union, Habiganj Upazila. The following day (March 9), the local people apprehended Shahidul, son of Kimmat Ali from Tarapasha village, as a suspected thief. He was subjected to physical assault, during which he named Zayed Mia, son of Yusuf Ali from Bhandakshin village in Laskarpur Union, as an accomplice.
Following his statement, locals captured Zayed Mia from Kotiadi Bazaar and brought him to Jamunabad, where he was also assaulted. When Zayed denied involvement in the theft, the enraged mob set him on fire, partially burning his body. Later, Union Parishad Chairman A.K.M. Ustar Mia Talukdar arrived at the scene, and the detained individuals confessed to stealing the phones. They were then released into the custody of their families and local representatives after signing a written pledge.
Conclusion
The claim that a Hindu man was tied to a tree and burned in Habiganj over alleged mobile theft is misleading.
Sources
- Parvez Mallik – Facebook Post
- Md Tufajjol – Facebook Post
- Habiganj Samachar – Report on Beatings and Fire Incident in Jamunabad
