A young man allegedly took his own life by consuming poison after facing humiliation over a Tk 500 instalment payment in Dirai Upazila, Sunamganj.

He died Friday morning while undergoing treatment at M. A. G. Osmani Medical College Hospital in Sylhet.

The deceased, Joy Mohapatra (19), was a resident of Bhangadhor village and the son of Liton Mohapatra.

According to his cousin, Ayon Das, Joy had purchased a mobile phone from a local shop owner, Amirul Islam, son of Madris Mia from Borhanpur, for Tk 5,500. Following the agreement, he paid Tk 2,000 in cash and was to pay the remaining Tk 3,500 in weekly installments of Tk 500 each. Although he regularly made payments, he was late with the last Tk 500 instalment.

On Thursday evening, Joy reportedly went to Amirul Islam’s shop to pay the instalment but was allegedly beaten, humiliated, and had the mobile phone confiscated. The family claims that Amirul also verbally insulted him. Distressed and traumatised by the incident, Joy allegedly bought rat poison from the same shop and consumed it at home.

Ayon said that around 7:30pm, Joy admitted to taking poison, after which he was rushed to Dirai Upazila Health Complex and later referred to Sylhet due to his deteriorating condition.

Dr. Moni Rani Talukdar, Resident Medical Officer at Dirai Health Complex, confirmed that the patient was in critical condition and had to be referred immediately.

Family members, including Joy’s uncle Mitu Mohapatra, said they would file a case after discussion with his father in Sylhet.

Regarding the allegation, shop owner Amirul Islam stated that Joy still owed him Tk 2,500 for the mobile and Tk 300 for Flexiload. He denied giving Joy any poison, claiming that he told Joy he did not have any when requested.

Joy’s mother, Sheli Mohapatra, alleged that her son was physically assaulted at the shop, which drove him to consume the poison.

Dirai police officer-in-charge, Enamul Haq Chowdhury, said that the police inspected the scene and will take legal action if complaints are filed.