Woman Dies Days After Snatching Attempt Throws Her From Rickshaw in Dhaka

A woman who was critically injured after allegedly being attacked by snatchers while returning home with her daughter in Dhaka has died after four days of treatment, family members said.

The victim, identified as Soheli Islam, 42, worked as a Medical Service Officer at a leading pharmaceutical company. Originally from Parbatipur in Dinajpur district, she had been residing in a rented apartment near Green Road in Dhaka.
 

According to relatives, the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday in front of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in the capital.

Soheli had travelled to her hometown with her only daughter to attend a family function. After completing the visit, the mother and daughter boarded a bus to Dhaka on Saturday night. They reportedly arrived in the Gabtoli area around 5:00am on Sunday and waited at the bus counter for nearly an hour before hiring a rickshaw to return home.

As the rickshaw was passing the gate of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, two men riding a motorcycle approached them. Both suspects were reportedly wearing helmets. Family members said the passenger on the motorcycle suddenly grabbed Soheli's vanity bag, which was wrapped around her hand, and began pulling it forcefully.

During the struggle, Soheli fell from the moving rickshaw onto the road. The impact left her with a fractured right arm and severe injuries to the back of her head. Witnesses said blood was seen coming from her ear, indicating serious trauma.

Her daughter immediately sought help from bystanders. According to family members, several people initially hesitated to assist. Eventually, the rickshaw puller and another individual helped transport Soheli to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital. She was later transferred to the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital before being moved to a private healthcare facility for advanced treatment.

Despite efforts by doctors, Soheli succumbed to her injuries on Thursday morning while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Dhaka.
 

Her funeral was held later that day in the West Tengri area of Ishwardi upazila in Pabna, where she was laid to rest. Relatives said her only daughter, a university undergraduate student, has been left devastated by the tragedy.

Family members described Soheli as a dedicated professional and a caring mother whose life was cut short by a senseless act of violence.
 

They also confirmed that no formal case had been filed with the police as of Friday. However, they said legal action would be pursued once the family is emotionally prepared to proceed.
 

The incident has once again drawn attention to concerns over street crime in Dhaka and the risks faced by commuters, particularly during the early morning hours.