Youth dies in Cox's Bazar police custody, 3 cops withdrawn amid protests
Police suspect he committed suicide, locals disagree
A 27-year-old man, Durjoy Chowdhury, has died in police custody after being taken to Chakaria police station following a complaint of cheque fraud and money embezzlement filed against him by his employer.
Durjoy, from Bhoramuhuri-Hindu Para area of Chakaria municipality, was an office assistant at Chakaria Government High School.
He was taken to Chakaria police station on Thursday after the acting headmistress of the school, Rabeya Khanam, filed a complaint in the evening accusing him of cheque fraud and embezzlement of Tk2.83 lakh in cash, according to Chakaria police station OC Md Shafiqul Islam.
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The next morning, Durjoy was found hanging from a door inside the lockup. Police said he committed suicide between Thursday midnight and 4am on Friday—a claim locals and the victim's family refused to accept.
The victim's body has been sent to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy, said the OC.
Meanwhile, an assistant sub-inspector and two constables have been withdrawn from Chakaria police station after locals infuriated over the incident today (22 August) laid siege to Chakaria police station and demanded action against the OC and the headmistress over Durjoy's death.
The protesting locals believe it was not a case of suicide after a photo of the deceased went viral on social media.
The victim's father Kamal Chowdhury said Durjoy was being mentally stressed over the allegations brought against him for the last 10-12 days. Due to this, he was suffering from chest pain and breathing difficulties. "On Thursday, he was called to the school again on the same allegation and held captive in a room till 5pm. Later, he was handed over to the police."
Chakaria Government High School acting headmistress Rabeya Khanam said she filed a complaint at the police station in the evening. "In the morning, I heard that Durjoy has committed suicide. It's very unfortunate."
The teacher, however, denied the claim that the office assistant was held captive before being handed over to the police.
Chakaria OC Shafiqul said reasons behind the death could be ascertained once the autopsy report arrives.
Cox's Bazar Additional Superintendent of Police Md Jashim Uddin said a three-member committee has been formed under his leadership to uncover the reasons behind the death of Durjoy.
