Bobi Begum, 70, a speech-impaired woman affectionately known as “Bubi” and a familiar face at Methi Kanda Railway Station in Narsingdi’s Raipura upazila, has died while undergoing treatment days after allegedly being assaulted by robbers.
Railway Police have filed a case over the incident and launched an operation to identify and arrest those involved.
According to police and local sources, the attack took place around 2:00am on July 5 at an abandoned room inside Methi Kanda Railway Station. A group of miscreants reportedly demanded money from Bubi, who had saved nearly Tk 40,000 over the years through small donations from passengers, shopkeepers and local residents while working to keep the station premises clean.
When she refused to hand over the money, the attackers allegedly beat her severely and fled after looting her savings.
Local residents rescued her the following morning and arranged treatment. The incident later drew widespread attention on social media and in the media, prompting local administration officials, police, social organisations and public representatives to come forward with support.
Her condition deteriorated on Tuesday night, and she was first taken to Raipura Upazila Health Complex. As her condition worsened, she was referred to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital. However, she died on the way to the hospital at around 1:15am on Wednesday.
Speaking to Red Time News, Methi Kanda Railway Station Master SM Jasim said Bubi had sustained visible injuries on different parts of her body following the assault.
Initially, she appeared to be recovering, but her condition suddenly deteriorated on Tuesday night, he said.
After an autopsy, funeral prayers were held at the station premises on Wednesday afternoon, and she was laid to rest at a local graveyard later that night.
A case has been filed with Bhairab Railway Police Station in connection with the incident.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Sayeed Ahmed of Bhairab Railway Police Station told Red Time News that the case was recorded on July 7 as Case No. 01.
No arrests have been made so far. We are analysing CCTV footage to identify the suspects, and operations are underway to bring those responsible to justice, he said.
The incident is being investigated with utmost importance. Multiple railway police teams are working to arrest the perpetrators as quickly as possible.
Raipura Police Station OC Mohammad Mojibur Rahman said they were aware of the incident, but no case had been filed with his station.
As Methi Kanda Railway Station falls under railway jurisdiction and there is no railway police outpost in Raipura, all legal and investigative procedures are being handled by Bhairab Railway Police Station, he said.
Raipura Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Masud Rana said the local administration had arranged treatment, food assistance and overall support for Bubi following the attack.
Unfortunately, despite all efforts, she could not be saved. Those responsible will face strict legal action, he said.
According to local residents, Bubi arrived at Methi Kanda Railway Station by train nearly 25 years ago and never left. The station eventually became her permanent home.
She spent years cleaning the station platforms, toilets and surrounding areas, surviving on small contributions from passengers, shopkeepers and locals. Ironically, the savings she accumulated over decades are believed to have become the motive behind the fatal attack.
Bubi’s death has cast a pall of grief over the station area, with residents demanding the immediate arrest of the attackers and exemplary punishment for those responsible.
