3 die from burns after mob torches accused's house over rape-murder

Three people who were burnt in a cylinder explosion after a mob set fire to the accused's house following the rape and murder of a ninth-grade girl have died while undergoing treatment.

The deceased have been identified as Suman Sheikh, son of Tojir Uddin Sheikh of East Raghabpur village in Bhandara union; Saiful Islam Sabbir, son of Shakur Hossain of neighbouring Natunpara; and Sapu, son of late Yusuf of the same area. Two of them died on Tuesday morning, June 9, at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, while the third died on Monday afternoon, June 8, at the same hospital.

Police and locals said the body of the girl was recovered from the Padma River in Bhandara on June 3. After her burial on June 4, an agitated mob set fire to the accused's house, causing a cylinder to explode and burn several people nearby. None of the accused were at home at the time; the victims were neighbours, passersby and onlookers.

Pabna Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tariqul Islam confirmed the deaths, adding that legal action is underway.