Fuel Station Worker Dies Trying to Stop Fuel Theft in Bangladesh
A tragic incident unfolded at a petrol pump in Bangladesh's Rajbari district. A fuel station worker lost his life after attempting to stop a vehicle from leaving without payment.
Police confirmed the death of 30-year-old Ripon Saha. The incident occurred early Friday morning at Karim Filling Station in Goalanda Mor.
Details of the Fatal Confrontation
According to police reports and eyewitness accounts, a black SUV arrived at the filling station around 4:30 am. The vehicle took fuel worth approximately Tk 5,000 (about INR 3,710).
When the driver attempted to leave without making payment, Ripon Saha tried to block the vehicle's path. The car allegedly ran him over and sped away from the scene.
The impact killed Saha instantly. Another worker, Jakir Hossain, discovered Saha's body on the highway with severe injuries to the head and face.
Police Investigation and Arrests
Rajbari Sadar Police chief Khondakar Ziaur Rahman stated clearly: "We will file a murder case. The worker stood in front of the car after they refused to pay for fuel, and they ran him over before fleeing."
Police later seized the vehicle involved in the incident. They arrested two individuals: the vehicle owner Abul Hashem (also known as Sujan), aged 55, and driver Kamal Hossain, aged 43.
Hashem previously served as treasurer of Rajbari district Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He also held the position of district Jubo Dal president. By profession, he works as a contractor.
Police continue to investigate who was driving the vehicle at the time of the fatal incident. The investigation remains ongoing.
Broader Context of Minority Violence
This incident occurs against a troubling backdrop of violence targeting minority communities in Bangladesh. The country's Hindu population numbers approximately 13.13 million according to the 2022 census, representing about 7.95 percent of the total population.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) recently expressed serious concern. They stated that communal violence has increased alarmingly as the country approaches general elections scheduled for February 12.
The Council believes this violence aims to prevent minority voters from supporting candidates of their choice. They documented 51 incidents of communal violence during December 2025 alone.
Recent Attacks on Minority Community Members
A disturbing pattern of violence has emerged across Bangladesh in recent weeks:
- On December 2, 42-year-old jeweler Prantosh Sarkar was shot dead at a school field in Narshingdi.
- On December 18, 25-year-old garment factory worker Dipu Chandra Das was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh city over alleged blasphemy. His body was subsequently set on fire.
- On December 24, another Hindu man named Amrit Mondal was lynched in Rajbari town's Pangsha upazila over alleged extortion.
- On December 31, 50-year-old Khokon Chandra Das was brutally attacked, hacked, and set on fire while returning home from his shop. He died in hospital three days later on January 3.
- On January 5, 40-year-old grocery shop owner Moni Chakraborty was murdered by unidentified attackers using a sharp weapon at Charsindhur Bazar in Palash Upazila.
- Also on January 5, 38-year-old ice-making factory owner Rana Pratap Bairagi was fatally shot in the head in Jessore district. He served as acting editor of the newspaper 'Dainik BD Khabar'.
- On January 6, 25-year-old Mithun Sarkar died after jumping into a canal to escape a mob accusing him of theft in Naogaon district.
- On December 7, Liberation War veteran and retired primary school headmaster Jogesh Chandra Roy (70) and his wife Shubarna Roy were killed in the Taraganj area of Rangpur. Their blood-stained bodies were discovered on their kitchen floor.
These incidents collectively paint a concerning picture of escalating violence as Bangladesh prepares for crucial parliamentary elections.
