Ruman Miah faces a struggle familiar to many youths of his age in Bangladesh: the denial of a rightful family inheritance by an elder sibling.
But the 25-year-old is suffering more than most, as he has been chained to his own bed for over a week in a twisted attempt by his brother and sister-in-law to convince authorities that he has a mental illness and cannot be trusted with his dues.
“They've tied me up in chains, they want to con me out of my inheritance," Ruman told this correspondent inside the family house at Pail village under Habiganj Sadar upazila on Monday. "They're injecting something in me that makes me unconscious."
He was referring to one of his five brothers, Abdus Salam - the 40-year-old son of late Abdus Sobhan also of Pail village - and Salam's wife, Jharna Akhter.
Ruman's elder sister, Hena Akhter, lives with her in-laws in the same village and has already filed a case on behalf of her brother with Sadar police station. Their four other brothers live separately.
Hena told reporters that Salam was not paying any heed to the objections raised by neighbours over the confinement and torture of Ruman.
Salam denied the allegations, saying: “My brother is mentally challenged. That is why he has been tied up in chains.”
He, however, declined to make any comment when he was asked to explain why no initiative was being taken to treat his brother.
Sadar police station Officer-in-Charge Yasinul Haque said they would take necessary steps to rescue Ruman.
Thursday, March 27, 2025
