Case filed against OC and eight others over death in police custody in Chattogram
Despite repeated attempts, OC Md Arifur Rahman could not be reached for comment
A case has been filed with a Chattogram court against nine people, including the officer-in-charge (OC) of Akbar Shah Police Station, over the death of a young man allegedly following torture in police custody for refusing to pay a bribe of Tk2 lakh.
On Monday (27 October), Saju Begum, mother of the victim Rakib Hossain, filed the case with the court of Chattogram Senior Special Judge Hasanul Islam. After hearing the petition, the court directed the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) commissioner to investigate the matter and submit a report.
The plaintiff's lawyer, Asadul Alam Salek, said, "According to the law relating to preventing deaths in custody, a case must first be filed with the police station, and the investigation report then be submitted to the court. We expect justice from the police commissioner."
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The accused in the case include Akbar Shah Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Arifur Rahman, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Md Saif Ullah, constable Sohel Chakma and Nur Mohammad Shahadat, and locals Zahurul Islam Liton alias "Cader Liton," Md Ripon, Md Rubel, Md Sumon Parvez Shimu and Biplob.
According to the case statement, on 16 October, local residents Liton and his associates took Rakib Hossain to their "torture cell office" in the Seven Market area of Akbar Shah. There, they demanded Tk2 lakh from Rakib's family. Upon refusal Rakib's captors beat him, threatened they had a "deal" with the police station and later handed him over to the police.
The complaint further alleges that Rakib was beaten again inside the police station on the OC's instructions. That same day, he was sent to court in connection with a non-FIR case, where the judge fined him Tk2,000 or five days in jail should he fail to pay the fine. As he could not pay, he was sent to prison.
Rakib fell ill in jail and was admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital on 18 October, where he died on 21 October.
The plaintiff, Saju Begum, is the wife of Dil Mohammad and a resident of Bishsho Colony in Akbar Shah area of the city.
Despite repeated attempts, OC Md Arifur Rahman could not be reached for comment.
