'They killed my husband,' wife alleges after Cumilla BNP activist reportedly dies in police custody

A BNP activist reportedly died in police custody at Bangra Bazar Police Station in Cumilla's Muradnagar upazila last night (19 June).

While police claim the activist named Sheikh Jewel, 45, died after experiencing chest pain, his family alleges that he was tortured to death in custody.

Speaking to The Business Standard today (20 June), Jewel's wife Shilpi Begum said, "My husband went out yesterday morning to collect Wi-Fi service bills. By the afternoon, I was informed that police had arrested him.

"I went to the police station and requested to speak with him. After several pleas, I was allowed to see him. He appeared healthy and told me he was innocent and urged me to arrange for his release."

She further said, "Later that evening, I heard that Jewel had been taken to Muradnagar Upazila Health Complex. When I got there, he was already dead."

"They [police] killed my husband," she alleged.

Sheikh Sihab, son of Jewel, a Wi-Fi service provider, said, "My father was taken without any cause and beaten to death."

Jewel's cousin and local BNP leader Sheikh Shafiqul Islam told TBS that he called the police station's Sub-Inspector Al Amin around 8:30pm to inquire about Jewel. "He told me to go to Muradnagar hospital. When I arrived, I found my brother's body lying there."

Muradnagar Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Sirajul Islam Manik confirmed that Jewel was brought in at 8:50pm. "After examinations, we declared him dead."

However, Bangra Bazar police Officer-in-Charge Mahfuzur Rahman denied allegations that Jewel died due to torture in police custody. "He was a drug addict. While in custody, he complained of chest pain and was immediately sent to the hospital, where he died."

"Jewel's body has been sent to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for autopsy," he added.