Assault of BCL leaders: ADC Harun withdrawn from DMP, transferred to APBn

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Sunday withdrew Ramna zone additional deputy commissioner Harun-or-Rashid over the allegation of torturing two Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leaders.

Hours after the DMP issued the transfer order, ADC Harun was transferred to the Armed Police Battalion (APBn).

"ADC Harun was withdrawn from Ramna zone following the allegation… a departmental inquiry will be launched against the ADC over the torture allegation at the police station," said DMP Spokesperson and Deputy Commissioner Faruk Hossain.

Briefing the media on Sunday, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the authorities will quiz ADC Harun and he will get the punishment he deserves.

Earlier, ADC Harun reportedly took BCL Central Organising Secretary Anowar Hossain Nayeem and BCL Science Affairs Secretary Sharif Ahmed Munim to Shahbagh police station following an argument with them at the Birdem Hospital and beat them up on Saturday. 

When reached over phone, ADC Harun responded that he was currently occupied and unable to converse.

One of the victims, Nayem, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

He alleged that they had an altercation with Harun over an incident at Birdem Hospital at Shahbagh on Saturday night.

"During the altercation, ADC Harun called some policemen over the phone and took us to Shahbagh police station. He started beating me saying that I had assaulted him," Nayem said.

"Later, 15-20 policemen joined the assault. They had tortured us indiscriminately for 10-15 minutes in the room of the officer-in-charge at the police station," Nayem added.

Nayem also mentioned that ADC Harun was with a female officer at Birdem Hospital during the incident. 

"The female officer's husband, a BCS cadre officer, went to the hospital along with the two BCL leaders and a quarrel ensued between the ADC and the female officer's husband.

"Then ADC Harun took the two BCL leaders to the Shahbagh police station and tortured them."

DU's proctorial team went to the police station and got them released following negotiations, Nayeem added.

Reactions

The incident caused anger among BCL leaders and many posted on social media criticising Harun and demanded action.

BCL central leaders remained silent over the incident. However, BCL's Dhaka University's Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall unit in a statement condemned the "devilish acts" of police and demanded action.  

Contacted, BCL Central Committee General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan said the party was yet to make any official statement over the incident.

However, the central leaders are discussing whether to file a case against ADC Harun over the torture incident, he said.

Meanwhile, a group of BCL leaders and activists formed a human chain at Dhaka University demanding action against Harun.