A young Bangladeshi Hindu boy, previously reported to have been beaten to death inside a police station over a blasphemous social media post, is alive, according to local law enforcement. On September 4, Utsav Mondal, 18, was attacked by an angry mob over a Facebook comment that contained derogatory remarks against the Prophet Muhammad. Following the incident, an announcement was made over a mosque loudspeaker declaring his death, but law enforcement confirmed the next day that he was alive, as reported by Dhaka Tribune.
Authorities have not disclosed his location due to security concerns.
Utsav Mondal is alive. Finally, the Bangladesh Army has published his photos. So keep asking questions, I think it reflects.
The college student from Khulna posted the offensive comment, which led to him being tracked down by several students and taken to the office of Deputy Commissioner (South) Mohammad Tazul Islam in Sonadanga. An angry mob soon gathered outside the office, demanding that Mondal be handed over to them. The situation quickly escalated as protestors surrounded the office, calling for justice.
Army and navy personnel were deployed to control the situation, but the mob broke into the office and attacked Utsav. Despite assurances from the Deputy Commissioner that action would be taken against Mondal, the mob assaulted him, leaving him critically injured.
The Directorate of Inter-Services Public Relations released a statement on Thursday, noting that a case has been registered against Mondal for violating religious sentiments. He will be handed over to legal authorities once he recovers. The statement emphasized that the Bangladesh Army is committed to preventing extrajudicial killings and upholding the rule of law.
The police officer explained that the announcement of Mondal’s death was made from the mosque to disperse the mob and restore calm.
