Mysterious death of senior SBMCH doctor in Barishal

Police yesterday recovered the body of a senior doctor of Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) from the bottom of an elevator shaft at Mamata Specialised Hospital in Barishal city.

Dr Zahirul Islam Manik, director of the hospital and head of surgery at SBMCH, said Dr Md Al Azad (45) went missing since Monday evening, and they informed police yesterday morning.

Dr Azad was a senior consultant at SBMCH's burn and plastic surgery unit and was working part-time at Mamata hospital, residing in a room on the hospital's sixth floor.

Zahidul Islam, a staffer at the hospital, said on Monday afternoon, Dr Azad asked for iftar and Zahidul put the meal in front his room as it was locked. Staffers went with dinner at night but still found the room locked.

Abdur Rahman Mukur, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Kotwali Police Station, said on information, police recovered the body around 1:30pm.

The OC said one of Dr Azad's legs was broken but they were uncertain about how he died, as they did not find any fault in the lift. Police are investigating the cause of death.

The body was sent to SBMCH morgue for autopsy. SBMCH Director Bakir Hossain visited the spot and paid his condolences.

Shihab Uddin Ahamed, a relative of Dr Azad, said the doctor had a wife, son and daughter, all of whom live in Dhaka's Keraniganj.