Jessore Teacher Accused of Beheading His Mother Dies in Hospital Under Prison Custody

Mamunur Rashid, 45, the schoolteacher arrested in Jessore after his mother was beheaded with a boti, has died while receiving treatment under prison custody. He died on Sunday night, November 1, at Khulna Medical College Hospital.

Abid Ahmed, jailer of Jessore Central Jail, confirmed the death on Monday night, November 2. He said Mamunur Rashid suffered a heart attack in Jessore jail on October 28. He was admitted to Jessore General Hospital the same day and later transferred to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where he died at around 8 p.m. on Sunday while under treatment.

Mamunur Rashid was the son of the late Altaf Hossain Master of Baje Durgapur village in Jessore Sadar upazila. He was an English teacher at Laujani Secondary School in Jhikargacha upazila. His mother was Anwara Begum, 58.

On August 27, at around 5:30 p.m., Mamun argued with his mother over family matters at their home in Baje Durgapur. At one point he knocked her to the ground and struck her in the neck with a sharp boti, severing Anwara Begum's head from her body.

Hearing the screams, neighbours rushed in, and Mamun dropped the boti and fled the scene. Police later detained him. A murder case was filed with Jessore Kotwali Model Police Station, and after his arrest in that case he was sent to Jessore Central Jail.

According to local residents, Mamun had been married twice. About eight or nine years ago he married Mithila of Vekutia village in Sadar upazila, but the marriage ended in divorce amid marital discord. He later married Rina of Amritbazar in Jhikargacha, but that marriage also ended in divorce about six years ago.

Residents said Mamun blamed his mother for both divorces, and that there had been disputes and incidents of beating between mother and son before.

Local people said family turmoil had left Mamun suffering from mental health problems. About three years ago he was admitted to Pabna Mental Hospital, where he received treatment for two to three months. After a long absence from home, he returned on August 27 after nearly five years — and the killing took place that same day.

Mamun remained under prison custody throughout his treatment after falling ill in jail. He died in hospital four days after being transferred from Jessore to Khulna.