Branch Manager Md. Abdus Salam reportedly committed suicide by consuming excess gas-relief/pesticide tablets (gas tablet) during an ongoing audit at the Nimgachi branch of Grameen Bank in Raiganj of Sirajganj.
Police have taken three members of the audit committee into custody at the local police station in connection with the incident.
The incident took place around 7:00 PM on Tuesday (October 6) in the Nimgachi area under Sonakhara Union of the upazila. Later, around 9:00 PM, he passed away while undergoing treatment at the Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura.
The deceased served as the manager of the Nimgachi Grameen Bank branch. He was a native of Ishwardi Upazila in Pabna District and had been living in a rented house in the Nimgachi area with his wife and two children.
Shafiqul Islam, an employee at the Nimgachi branch, said, "Abdus Salam, 50, appeared deeply distressed while the audit was underway. When asked about it, he said, 'I wasn't allowed to survive. I will die.' Shortly after, he revealed that he had consumed gas tablets, whereupon he was rushed to the hospital."
He further added, "Following the incident, agitated locals and bank employees besieged the members of the audit committee. Upon receiving the news, police arrived at the scene and brought the three audit team members to the police station."
However, it remains unconfirmed whether Abdus Salam took his own life due to pressure from the audit.
Statements from his family members and the Grameen Bank authority could not be obtained at the time of reporting.
Md. Ahsanuzzaman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Raiganj Police Station, stated, "On receiving the report, police forces went to the spot and brought the situation under control. The three members of the audit team were subsequently brought to the station. No written complaint has been filed so far. Necessary legal action will be taken after investigating the matter."