Bangladeshi worker beaten up by 5 men for 2 hours after picking up discarded bicycle lock
What started as a quiet afternoon ride turned into a terrifying two-hour ordeal for a Bangladeshi worker, who was beaten and extorted by five of his own countrymen - all because he picked up what he thought was a discarded bicycle lock.
According to Shin Min Daily News, the incident happened on Feb 12 and left the 40-year-old victim, Hossain Billal, with multiple injuries, including scalp hematomas and bruises across his body.
The court heard that Billal was cycling from his Jalan Sultan residence to the riverside to rest at around 5pm when he noticed a bicycle lock in the Merdeka Bridge underpass. Believing it had been thrown away, he picked it up.
That was when Pramanik Shamim confronted him and accused him of stealing his electric scooter. He snatched the lock back and demanded $1,000 in compensation.
Billal denied the accusation and refused to pay. Shin Min reported that Pramanik then struck him with the lock.
Four other Bangladeshi men soon surrounded him, including 31-year-old Sarker Sumon, who was later convicted in court.
The group threatened Billal, insisting he hand over money. When he stood his ground, the five men began kicking and punching him. Pramanik allegedly continued striking him with the lock while another man, Mamun AL, attacked him with a wooden stick.
Despite Billal's pleas for them to stop, the attackers persisted and forced him to surrender about $50 in cash, his debit card and his mobile phone. They even made him call a friend to bring more money, all while continuing to beat him.
At about 7.30pm, Billal's friend arrived but refused to pay and threatened to call the police. The two managed to flee during the commotion.
Billal later lodged a police report and was taken to hospital, where he was given four days of medical leave for his injuries, which included various bruises and abrasions, and swelling on the head, reported Shin Min.
Police arrested Sumon on Feb 14. He was sentenced on Nov 13 to two years and nine months' jail and two strokes of the cane for robbery with hurt.
Of the belongings that were taken from him, only Billal's mobile phone was recovered by the police. His five assailants have also not provided any compensation to date.
Pramanik and Mamun as well as two other men, Shik Md Kawsar and Ullah Ahammad, have also been charged. Their cases are still pending.
