Teenger publicly humiliated over theft allegation in Habiganj

A teenage boy was allegedly subjected to public humiliation in Habiganj’s Madhabpur upazila after being accused of stealing a mobile phone.

The incident took place on Thursday afternoon (April 30) at Tulsipur Bazar, where locals forced the boy to perform sit-ups holding his ears, made him issue a public apology, and shaved his head in front of a crowd.

According to eyewitnesses, the boy was suspected in the recent theft of a mobile phone from a local shop. He was later detained by locals while attempting to sell the device at a nearby market and brought back to Tulsipur Bazar, where a group of people declared him guilty without any legal process.

Witnesses said the teenager was coerced into confessing and subjected to degrading punishment before being driven out of the market. A video of the incident later went viral on social media, triggering widespread condemnation.

Locals claimed the boy had been struggling with substance abuse and had been living away from his family.

Human rights activist Shahidul Haque said such incidents reflect a serious violation of fundamental rights, stressing that alleged offense must be addressed through lawful procedures.

SI Mizanur Rahman, a beat officer at Kashimnagar Police Outpost, said there is no legal provision for such punishment and that appropriate action will be taken if a formal complaint is filed.