A businessman in Kumarkhali, Kushtia, has chosen the path of suicide, unable to bear the burden of several crores of taka in debt. Harun Or Rashid Khalek (38) committed suicide by hanging himself late on Monday night (August 24, 2026). Before his death, he called his younger brother and made an earnest plea, saying, "My son is there, please look after him." This heartbreaking incident has cast a shadow of grief over Birikaya village, and the local administration has initiated an investigation into the matter. Initially, it is believed that he took this extreme decision due to severe business losses and the unbearable pressure of loans from banks and various sources.
According to local and family sources, Khalek was an established businessman who traded in various agricultural products including paddy, jute, and onions. His business had been experiencing a downturn for the past few years, which weakened him financially. This year, he suffered significant losses when approximately 50 lakh taka worth of onions he had purchased rotted. This huge loss, combined with several crores of taka in loans taken from banks, NGOs, and relatives, created an unbearable pressure on him. The anxiety of repaying this massive debt gradually led to his mental breakdown, ultimately resulting in such a tragic outcome.
Around 1 AM on Monday night, Harun Or Rashid Khalek called his younger brother Abdul Malek. During the call, he pleaded in an emotional voice, "My son is there, please look after him." Hearing his brother's words, Abdul Malek anxiously asked where he was. In response, Khalek mentioned a specific location (Shafiullah's mango orchard) and said, "You won't find me in the morning." Understanding the gravity of his brother's words, Malek quickly rushed to Shafiullah's mango orchard with his father, Sadar Uddin, and his sister-in-law. There, they were confronted with a heartbreaking sight: Khalek's lifeless body hanging from a rope on a mango tree branch.
Family members immediately informed the police. Upon receiving the news, Kumarkhali police arrived at the scene on Tuesday morning (August 25) and recovered Khalek's hanging body. After completing the inquest, the body was sent to the Kushtia General Hospital morgue for an autopsy. On Tuesday afternoon, a visit to Khalek's house, located beside the Panti-Jaduboyra road in front of Birikaya Government Primary School, revealed that the air was heavy with the wails of his relatives. Although curious onlookers tried to console them, the atmosphere in the area remained heavy and silent.
Sadar Uddin, the father of the deceased Khalek, was heartbroken by the loss of his son and stated that his son was indebted by several crores of taka and committed suicide, unable to bear the pressure of that debt. Khalek's wife, Mala Khatun, also confirmed that there were no disputes in their household, but there was a significant amount of debt. She believes that her husband chose this extreme path because of these debts. A close friend of Khalek, who wished to remain anonymous, said that Khalek had also arranged a five lakh taka loan through him and similarly took loans from banks through many others. He estimated Khalek's total debt to be between three and four crore taka.
Kumarkhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Jamal Uddin confirmed the incident, stating, "The body has been recovered and sent to the morgue for autopsy. Initially, it is believed that Harun Or Rashid Khalek committed suicide, unable to bear the pressure of debt." He added that the actual cause of death would be confirmed once the autopsy report is received, and an unnatural death case has been filed in this regard. This incident has prompted renewed reflection in society about the burden of debt and its devastating consequences.
Crushed between business losses on one hand and escalating debt pressure on the other, a promising businessman met an untimely end. His last words, "My son is there, please look after him," were not just a plea to his brother but a silent question to society, echoing the unspoken agony of countless individuals burdened by financial crises. This tragic incident has cast a deep shadow of grief across Kumarkhali, Kushtia, and has underscored the importance of social awareness and support to prevent the tendency of taking extreme measures like suicide due to financial hardship and mental stress.
