An elderly man was abandoned by his family in a forest in Gazipur after being rejected by a rehabilitation centre due to his deteriorating health.
Sakib Ali Sardar, aged over sixty, had fallen ill and became increasingly helpless. Instead of receiving care from his children, his family made the difficult decision to take him to an old age home in Gazipur.
But, the rehabilitation centre refused to admit him due to his serious condition, which included a catheter for urination.
On 2 December, his eldest daughter and son-in-law abandoned him in the Gajari forest, located to the north of the Bangladesh Air Force base in Hotapara, Gazipur, leaving him without help. Three days later, local residents found Sardar lying helpless in the forest and informed police.
Joydebpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Halim responded to the situation and arranged for Sardar’s rescue. He was later admitted to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital for treatment, where he remains in critical condition.
The OC said, “Sakib Ali Sardar, a vehicle driver from Char Dipur in Shariatpur’s Gosairhat area, had one son and two daughters. After his health worsened, he sought shelter with his eldest daughter in Dhaka’s Badda area, but when his condition deteriorated, his family took him to the Gazipur rehabilitation centre. Following the centre’s refusal to admit him, his family left him in the forest.”
“Sardar’s son had taken his property and subsequently stopped providing for him. As a result, Sardar was forced to seek help from his daughter, who ultimately made the decision to abandon him after his condition worsened.”
Joydebpur police stand by him
After the elderly man was found in an unhygienic state, including having excrement on his feet and a catheter inserted, we arranged for his recovery, the police officer added.
The local social welfare office was contacted, but due to insufficient resources, they were unable to assist.
OC Abdul Halim assured that once Sardar is well enough, he will be placed in a proper old age home, and all necessary support will be provided. He would take responsibility for the elderly man’s care until the end of his life.
