A video circulating on social media claims that a man was tied to a tree and subjected to fire torture in Habiganj, with allegations that he belonged to the Hindu community.

Fact-Check

An investigation by the Rumor Scanner team has revealed that the man tied to the tree and exposed to fire was not a Hindu but a Muslim. His name is Shahidul, and his father’s name is Kimmat Ali. The investigation traced a Facebook post by an account named Parvez Mallik on March 10, which contained a video matching the widely circulated footage.

The caption of the post states that locals caught two mobile phone thieves in Jamunabad, Habiganj. Another video from the same day, posted by an account named Md Tufajjol Islam, shows one of the detained individuals speaking. In the video, the man introduces himself as Shahidul, son of Kimmat Ali.

Further investigation led to a report published on March 11 by local news outlet Dainik Habiganj Samachar. According to the report, two mobile phones were stolen from the residence of Abdul Qayyum Mia in Jamunabad, located in Ward 6 of Lamatashi Union, Habiganj, on March 8. The following day, on March 9, locals apprehended a suspect named Shahidul, son of Kimmat Ali from Tarapasha village, on suspicion of theft. During an interrogation, he named his accomplice as Zayed Mia, son of Yusuf Ali, from Bondokkhin village in Laskarpur Union, Habiganj Sadar Upazila, alleging his involvement in the crime. Acting on this information, locals detained Zayed Mia from Katiadi Bazaar and brought him to Jamunabad, where he too was subjected to interrogation and physical assault. When Zayed denied involvement in the theft, the enraged mob set him on fire, causing burns to parts of his body.

Upon receiving information, local Union Parishad Chairman A.K.M. Ustar Mia Talukder arrived at the scene. The detained individuals reportedly confessed to the crime in his presence. Subsequently, after signing a written agreement, they were released into the custody of their family members, along with Abdul Matin, the Ward 4 member of Laskarpur Union Parishad, and Sadhan Mia, a resident of Tarapasha village.

In conclusion, the individual tied to the tree and subjected to fire was not Hindu but a Muslim. Therefore, the claim circulating on social media that a Hindu man was tortured in this manner over allegations of mobile theft is misleading.

Original News Source: https://rumorscanner.com/fact-check/the-person-tied-to-the-tree-and-burned-is-not-a-hindu-but-a-muslim/142334