Five workers at the GUK Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Gaibandha have been accused of mistreating a patient. The patient’s brother, Md Aurang Haqqani, lodged a complaint with Gaibandha Sadar Police Station alleging torture and attempted murder, as per Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdullah-al Mamun. The individuals implicated include Md Badhon, a 35-year-old counselor at the facility, along with staff members Labib (32), Shihab (35), Atif (36), and Talha (35).
Operated by Gono Unnayan Kendra (GUK), an NGO located in Kalibari Para of Gaibandha municipality, the rehab center is under scrutiny following the incident. The victim, aged 37, is presently under medical care at Gaibandha General Hospital.
As per the case details, family visitations were restricted post-admission. The victim conveyed to his family that instead of receiving proper care, the rehab center’s staff resorted to harsh treatment likened to medieval practices. On February 11, the victim’s brother encountered initial obstruction but was eventually permitted to see him after garnering local support. Allegedly, on February 9, the staff confined the victim in a room, gagged him, tied his legs to a window grille to suspend him upside down, and relentlessly beat him unconscious using various objects.
The main accused, Badhon, refuted the torture allegations, asserting that the patient exhibited aggressive behavior and had assaulted others. Badhon stated, “This patient has been a returning client. He often displays aggression and despair due to family-related struggles. We had discharged him twice previously, but his family insisted on his latest admission.”
He further explained, “On the 9th, he engaged in severe altercations and physical assaults against fellow patients, resulting in a group of 15-16 individuals retaliating against him.” Badhon acknowledged the staff’s failure to intervene and protect the patient during the incident, attributing it to negligence on their part.
Addressing the severity of the victim’s injuries, OC Abdullah-al Mamun remarked, “The victim bears visible signs of torture on his body and is presently hospitalized. A case involving charges of torture and attempted murder against five employees was filed yesterday. Efforts are underway to apprehend the accused.”