ASK demands judicial probe into death of Chhatra League activist in DB custody
Pranto was arrested in Gondardia village with 100 grams of cannabis, police say.
The Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has expressed concern over the death of Chhatra League activist, Mirza Ishtiaq Ahmed Pranto, while in the custody of the Detective Branch (DB) police in Faridpur, calling for a judicial investigation into the incident.
In a press statement issued to the media today (21 June), the human rights organisation urged the authorities to conduct an impartial inquiry to determine the actual cause of the death and ensure accountability for those responsible.
Citing media reports, the organisation said Pranto, an activist of the banned-Chhatra League and student of Faridpur Law College, was detained by a district DB team last evening (20 June).
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According to Faridpur DB Officer-in-Charge Md Alamgir Hossain, Pranto was arrested from Gondardia village with 100 grams of cannabis.
He was initially taken to Madhukhali Police Station, after which the DB team carried out further anti-narcotics operations before bringing him, along with three others, to the DB office in Faridpur city at dawn.
The OC further said Pranto fell ill while in DB custody and was taken to the hospital this morning (21 June), where doctors declared him dead.
However, ASK noted that Pranto's family members and relatives have alleged that he was physically tortured during his arrest and while in custody, and that the alleged abuse may have led to his death.
The organisation also urged the authorities to ensure transparency by releasing the complete CCTV footage of the incident, providing security and legal assistance to the victim's family, and taking appropriate legal action in accordance with the law.
