Ctg court orders reinvestigation in custodial torture case against ex-OC, SI
The incident took place in 2023 following a protest against increased dialysis fees at Chattogram Medical
A Chattogram court today (7 January) directed reinvestigation into a case filed against Panchlaish Police Station's former Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Nazim Uddin Mojumder, and former Sub-Inspector (SI) Abdul Aziz over allegations of torturing student Md Mostakim in police custody.
Additional Chief Chattogram Metropolitan Magistrate Sarkar Hasan Shahriar issued the order and asked the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to reinvestigate the case.
The incident took place two years ago following his detention from a protest against increased dialysis fees at Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH).
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Human Rights Foundation Secretary General Zia Habib Ahsan, representing the plaintiff, said that a "naraji" (no-confidence) petition was filed to the magistrate court against the final investigation report submitted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
When the court dismissed the petition, a petition was lodged with the Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court, which subsequently referred the matter back to the magistrate court, he added.
After the hearing, the magistrate court ordered the PBI to reinvestigate the case.
According to court documents, protesters blocked the road in front of the CMCH's main gate on 10 January 2023, protesting the increased dialysis fees.
Police arrived at the scene and requested the protesters to clear the road, but they refused. At one stage of altercation, OC Nazim detained Mustaqim and beat him after taking him to the police station.
Later, police filed a case accusing Mostakim and 50-60 unidentified individuals on allegation of assaulting police officials and obstructing their duties. Mostakim was subsequently sent to jail.
After being released on bail, Mostakim filed a petition in a Chattogram court on 20 February that year, alleging custodial torture against the OC and SI.
The court ordered the petition to be recorded as a regular case and asked the CID to investigate the incident.
The case statement revealed that Mostakim had been caring for his mother, who had undergone dialysis for seven years. Due to the fee hike, he joined other families in the protest.
The complaint further alleged that SI Abdul Aziz mocked Mostakim during the assault, saying, "Will you still misbehave with OC Nazim Sir?" OC Nazim reportedly added, "Let's bring him into remand and teach him what the police are capable of."
