DU student found dead in capital's Hazaribagh

A Dhaka University (DU) student was found dead early Friday after allegedly consuming a toxic substance at his rented residence in the capital’s Hazaribagh area.

The deceased was identified as Saidul Amin, popularly known as Simanta, 25, son of Sadrul Amin, a final-year student of the Chemistry Department at DU. He hailed from Birgaon village in Monohardi upazila of Narsingdi district.

According to sources, Simanta had been living as a subtenant in a house on Moneswar Road. On Thursday night around 9:00 PM, he reportedly locked himself inside his room. When he failed to respond for an extended period, his roommate informed the house owner. The door was later broken open and Simanta was found unconscious.

Later, he was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where the on-duty doctors declared him dead.

Hazaribagh Police Station sub-inspector (SI) Zahid Hossain said preliminary findings suggest that Simanta may have died after consuming a poisonous substance, possibly insecticide used to kill bedbugs.

Family members said that a poisonous smell was coming from his mouth when he was taken to the hospital, which further raised suspicion of poisoning.

Family members also indicated that Simanta had been going through mental distress, reportedly linked to personal hardships, including the loss of his mother during the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing family difficulties.

DMCH police camp in-charge Inspector Md Faruk confirmed that the body has been kept at the hospital morgue for an autopsy. Authorities stated that the exact cause of death will be determined following the post-mortem report.

Police have been notified and further investigation into the incident is underway.