Teen Takes Own Life After Reported Online Gambling Loss

An 18-year-old youth, Hriday Dev, reportedly died by suicide at his workplace after allegedly losing money in online gambling. Hriday was the son of Basu Dev, a resident of Daulatdihi village in Kashimpur Union under Jashore Sadar Upazila.

Family members claim that Hriday had recently become addicted to online gambling and believe that his death was prompted by a significant gambling loss.

According to the family, Hriday worked at a pharmacy owned by Ismail Hossain in the Churamankathi Bazaar area. On Tuesday, July 29, he left home in the morning as usual for work. Later, the family was informed that Hriday had been found hanging inside the pharmacy.

Pharmacy owner Ismail Hossain said, “Hriday used to open the shop every morning. Around 11:15 AM on Tuesday, I arrived and found the shutter still closed. When I lifted it and peeked inside, I saw Hriday's body hanging. I immediately cried out, and nearby shopkeepers rushed to the scene.”

Ismail added that he could not understand what led to Hriday’s death.

Hriday’s father, Basu Dev, stated, “He had breakfast and left saying he was going to open the shop. Later, I heard he had taken his life inside the pharmacy. He had recently become addicted to online gambling. I suspect he lost money and took this step. I can’t think of any other reason.”

Police arrived at the scene and recovered the body, which was sent to Jashore General Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Sub-Inspector (SI) Abdur Rauf, in charge of the Sajiiali Police Outpost, confirmed the incident and said, “Locals had taken the body down before police arrived. The exact cause of death will be known after the postmortem examination.”