Ministry of Public Administration initiates probe into senior official following mother’s death from alleged neglect
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The Ministry of Public Administration has initiated disciplinary proceedings against a joint secretary following the discovery of his 75-year-old mother’s body in squalid conditions at her home in Mirpur, Dhaka. The case of Noor Jahan Begum, whose death has sparked national outrage, highlights allegations of severe neglect by her children, all of whom hold prominent professional positions: one son is a joint secretary, another is a faculty member at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), and her daughter is a school teacher.
State Minister for Public Administration Md. Abdul Bari confirmed on Wednesday that the government is moving to hold the official accountable under the Maintenance of Parents Act. He stated that the ministry has already begun gathering facts and will follow formal procedures, including obtaining a formal explanation from the official, to ensure that those who violate their legal obligations toward their parents face appropriate consequences.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The circumstances surrounding Begum’s death were brought to light following reports in *Prothom Alo*, which detailed the harrowing state of the residence where the elderly woman lived with her daughter. Viral video footage shared on social media depicted the apartment in an advanced state of neglect. Investigators from the Pallabi Police Station reported that when they recovered the body, it showed signs of severe decomposition, including infestation by insects, while the victim’s physical appearance suggested prolonged lack of care.
Neighbors and residents in the Mirpur neighborhood have expressed profound shock and anger, describing the incident as profoundly inhumane. When journalists attempted to seek comment at the residence on Tuesday, the occupants did not respond to repeated inquiries, leaving the apartment doors locked as locals voiced their condemnation of the family’s conduct.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The incident has refocused public attention on the Maintenance of Parents Act of 2013, which was further strengthened by new regulations in 2023. The legislation mandates that children are legally responsible for ensuring the health, medical care, and overall well-being of their parents. Under the law, failure to provide such support constitutes a punishable offense, carrying a maximum fine of 100,000 taka or a jail term of up to three months for those who neglect these fundamental duties.
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