In a disturbing incident that has sparked outrage online, a septuagenarian named Ali Akbar, 70, was tied to an electric pole and tortured for nearly two and a half hours in Rasulpur village, Chandina upazila of Cumilla district, on Monday morning.
According to eyewitnesses, the ordeal began around 8:30 a.m. and continued until 11 a.m., when locals finally intervened. Images of the elderly man bound to the pole quickly spread on social media later that afternoon, drawing widespread condemnation.
Police and local sources confirmed that the incident was linked to a loan dispute. Rasulpur residents Abul Kalam and his son Borhan Uddin have reportedly been running an informal moneylending business in the area for years. Two years ago, Akbar had borrowed Tk 70,000 from Borhan to send his son abroad. Borhan allegedly demanded Tk 1.5 lakh in return, including interest.
When Akbar failed to repay the inflated amount, Borhan allegedly dragged him out of his home and tied him to an electric pole, beating him publicly. The elderly man fell ill from the torture and was later rescued and taken to the Chandina Upazila Health Complex by locals.
Speaking to the media, Ibrahim Khalil, the victim’s son, said his father had requested more time to settle the debt but was denied. “Borhan showed no mercy. My father was humiliated and tortured in front of everyone. Who will give us justice now?” he lamented.
After photos of the incident went viral, police arrested Borhan Uddin from Rasulpur around 10 p.m. Monday night, confirmed Chandina Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Javedul Islam.
He said, “Preliminary investigation suggests Borhan acted alone. However, no formal complaint has been filed yet by the victim or his family.”
The incident has reignited concerns over unregulated private lending and vigilante-style justice in rural Bangladesh, where debt disputes often turn violent.
