Death at Brahmanbaria rehab centre sparks panic, 40 patients flee

A death at a drug rehabilitation centre in Brahmanbaria has sparked panic, with around 40 patients fleeing the facility following the incident. The patient's family alleged he was tortured and beaten to death by the centre's authorities, accusations the management has denied.

The incident occurred at the 'Prayas Drug Dependence Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre' near the Fulbaria bus stand in the city, where 29-year-old Md Forkan died on Tuesday night.

The deceased was from the Kurighar village in Natghar Union of Nabinagar upazila. His brother-in-law, Emon Hossain, alleged that the centre's staff tortured and beat Forkan instead of providing proper treatment.

The centre's director, Promod Barman, denied the allegations, calling them "false."

According to locals and witnesses, the centre operated on the third floor of a building near the bus stand, run by a group of directors.

After news of Forkan's death spread, panic gripped the other patients over fears of similar torture. Fearing for their safety, the patients decided to flee on Wednesday afternoon. Locals said they broke windows, jumped onto the roof of a nearby building and escaped.

Emon Hossain said Forkan was an expatriate worker in Qatar who had returned home six months ago. He was admitted to the rehab centre after becoming addicted to drugs.

Emon claimed that five days after admission, the family received Forkan's body. The centre's staff had taken him to a hospital on Tuesday evening, where doctors declared him dead. They then left the body in an ambulance and asked the family to come to the office. Emon said they had to call 999 to retrieve the body.

Sadar Police Station Sub-Inspector Sanjib Kumar Pal, however, said no injury marks were found on Forkan's body.

Director Promod Barman claimed Forkan fell ill and was taken to hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Regarding the escape, he said locals vandalised the centre, prompting 40 patients to flee. No patients currently remain at the centre.

Deputy Director of the Department of Narcotics Control, Sazedul Hasan, said Prayas is one of six approved rehab centres in Brahmanbaria. He said a probe will determine the true circumstances of Forkan's death.

Sadar Police Station OC Md Shahidul Islam said a case of unnatural death has been filed over the incident. No complaint has been filed by the victim's family yet, nor has the centre filed any complaint over the patients' escape. Forkan's brother-in-law said the family will file a case in court.