Elderly man killed during Eid prayer in Malda mosque over old feud

A 65-year-old man named Jalil Sheikh was attacked with a sharp weapon while offering Eid-ul-Adha namaz at a mosque in Harishchandrapur village on Friday. Police said the attack took place during morning prayers and the accused, identified as Babul Ali (30), a neighbour of the victim, was arrested shortly after the incident. Sheikh, a resident of Maradangi village, was taken to a hospital in critical condition, where he later died.

According to police and local sources, the incident is linked to a six-month-old dispute between the two families over an alleged stone-pelting incident at the victim’s house. Police said Babul Ali and some members of his family had entered the mosque with knives. During the prayers, Sheikh was attacked on the neck with a sharp weapon. The area is under the jurisdiction of Harishchandrapur police station.

Police are investigating whether others were involved in planning the attack. Statements from witnesses at the mosque are being recorded, and additional security has been deployed in the area to prevent any further disturbances. A murder case has been registered and further legal proceedings are underway.