3 cops give depositions over youth’s death in Sylhet custody

Three policemen on Monday gave depositions in a case filed over torturing a youth to death at Bandar Bazar police outpost in Sylhet. 

Constables Delwar, Saidur and Shamim gave their statements before Sylhet Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Judge Md Zihadur Rahman as eyewitnesses to the incident.

The court started recording their depositions under Section 164 around 3pm after the investigating agency of the case, Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), produced them before the court. 

Md Khaleduzzaman, superintendent of Sylhet PBI, confirmed the matter to The Business Standard.

On October 11, Rayhan Ahmed died in police custody following torture, his family alleged. However, police denied the allegation and said he was caught by locals while mugging and was lynched.

Police said they had found Rayhan wounded by the mob lynching and took him to a hospital where he died.

On October 12, Rayhan's wife filed a case under the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act 2013 with Sylhet Kotwali Police Station. 

Later, an investigation committee was formed, and it found primary evidence of torture. Following the recommendation of the committee, Bandar Bazar outpost in-charge Sub-Inspector Akber Hossain Bhuiya, and three constables – Harunur Rashid, Towhid Miah, and Titu Chandra Das – were suspended. 

Also, two assistant sub-inspectors – Ashek Elahi and Kutub Ali – and Constable Sajeeb Hossain were withdrawn. 

However, nobody has yet been arrested in the case while prime accused SI Akber has been on the run, according to police.