Published : 24 Aug 2025, 06:40 PM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 01:42 PM
A man has reportedly had both his eyes gouged out in a violent family dispute over money in Barishal’s Muladi Upazila.
The victim, 50-year-old Sirajul Islam, known locally as Ripon Bepari, was attacked late on Friday, according to Muladi Police Station Sub-Inspector Md Masud.
Local residents and family members alleged that Ripon’s younger brothers, Rokon Bepari and Swapan Bepari, carried out the assault on the instructions of their father, Arshad Bepari.
Ripon, his brothers and father, Arshad Bepari, are currently undergoing treatment at Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.
According to villagers, Ripon had been living in Dhaka with his family and was allegedly involved in theft, robbery, and fraud, through which he had collected cash and gold jewellery. He reportedly kept these with his brother Rokon for safekeeping.
“About three months ago, Ripon demanded the money and jewellery back from Rokon, but Rokon refused.
This led to a dispute between them, and several arbitration meetings were held in the area,” said Enamul Haque, a local resident.
Ripon’s elder brother Khokon Bepari said, “On Friday afternoon, Ripon came home from Dhaka and again asked Rokon for the money. When Rokun refused, they argued. Around 11pm, when Ripon returned home, the quarrel flared up again. At one stage, our father Arshad became furious, beat Ripon, and ordered that his eyes be gouged out.”
Acting on their father’s order, Rokun and Swapan allegedly beat Ripon and gouged out both his eyes before handing them over to Arshad, Khokon claimed.
However, Arshad denied the allegation, saying: “Neighbours came during the fight at night. I did not see who did what.”
Locals rescued Ripon and first took him to Ashukathi Hospital in Gouranadi. As his condition worsened, he was transferred to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal.
Ripon’s son, Abdur Rahman, said: “My father lost his eyes because he asked my uncle Rokon to return Tk 3.5 million and 20 bhori of gold that he was holding. We will file a case with the police.”
SI Masud said Ripon has at least 20 cases against him, including one for murder in Muladi, and eight cases of theft and robbery filed with Ramna Police Station in Dhaka.
“According to his relatives, Ripon allegedly threatened to set the house on fire with petrol, which is when his eyes were gouged out. But when police reached the scene, no one was there,” the SI said.
He added that the family told police they would pursue legal action once Ripon’s condition improved.
