Doctors have removed more than 50 gas lighters, a nail cutter, screws and pieces of brick from the stomach of a life-term prisoner at Dhaka Medical College Hospital after he developed severe abdominal pain and other complications.
The prisoner, identified as Hasmat Ali, 44, was initially taken from Kashimpur High Security Central Jail in Gazipur to Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj for advanced treatment on October 31 at around 7:20pm.
Hasmat, son of late Somed Ali alias Somer of Ramdebpur village in Ghatail upazila of Tangail, is serving a life sentence in a criminal case.
According to prison authorities, he was suffering from a serious medical condition diagnosed as an acute abdomen with an epigastric mass. He was subsequently admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
On November 4, doctors performed surgery and recovered more than 50 gas lighters, a nail cutter, screws and pieces of brick from his stomach.
Senior Jail Superintendent of Kashimpur High Security Central Jail Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun said Hasmat had been mentally distressed for a long time, particularly after his father was murdered.
While in prison, he expressed interest in engaging in various activities to cope with his mental distress. The prison authorities subsequently assigned him cleaning duties.
During his work, Hasmat allegedly collected discarded gas lighters from garbage and swallowed them, the jail superintendent said.
He was eventually taken to hospital after falling ill. Medical examinations confirmed the presence of the objects in his stomach, prompting doctors to perform surgery.
The senior jail superintendent said Hasmat was currently in stable condition and receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital under the supervision of Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj.
