ASK expresses concern over two custodial deaths in Sylhet, Moulvibazar
The ASK stated, “Such incidents erode public trust in the security system and undermine the constitutional guarantee of the right to life and human dignity.”
The Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has expressed deep concern over the deaths of two citizens while in the custody of law enforcement agencies in Sylhet and Moulvibazar.
In a statement today (16 September), ASK said such incidents put citizens' right to safety in custody at serious risk.
The rights group noted that "deaths in police custody have become increasingly frequent in recent times."
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ASK stressed that each death in custody constitutes a direct violation of human rights and reflects a serious lack of accountability within law enforcement.
According to media reports, murder suspect Tanvir Chowdhury, 24, was found dead in Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-9 custody in Sylhet. He was arrested on 13 September in Jaintapur and taken to the RAB-9 office, where authorities later claimed he committed suicide by wrapping a blanket around his neck on the night of 14 September.
In another incident, police recovered the body of Mokaddus Mia, 50, an accused in a murder case, hanging inside a cell of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) in Moulvibazar on 14 September.
The ASK stated, "Such incidents erode public trust in the security system and undermine the constitutional guarantee of the right to life and human dignity."
The organisation also pointed out that proper procedures for evidence collection are often absent in such cases.
"Authorities frequently claim the lack of CCTV cameras in important facilities like police lockups."
ASK described this absence of surveillance as highly concerning and a serious question on the accountability of law enforcement.
Reiterating its stance, ASK demanded thorough, independent, and impartial investigations into every case of death in custody, including the recent incidents in Sylhet and Moulvibazar, and that those responsible be held accountable and punished.
"Effective measures must also be taken to prevent recurrence in the future," the statement added.
ASK emphasised that deaths in custody are never acceptable under any circumstances.
They urged state institutions to act responsibly, noting that protecting citizens' lives and dignity is not only a constitutional obligation but also a fundamental condition of human rights.
