ASK demands judicial probe into two deaths in police custody

Human rights organization Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) has expressed grave concern over the deaths of two people in police custody in Cumilla and Kishoreganj. The organization has demanded an immediate judicial inquiry to ensure an impartial investigation into the incident.

ASK issued a statement signed by the organization's senior coordinator Abu Ahmed Faizul Kabir in this regard on Saturday.

The statement said: "On June 19, police arrested a youth named Sheikh Jewel, 35, from Bangra Bazar area of ​​Muradnagar upazila of Cumilla in an anti-drug operation. When he fell ill while in custody, he was taken to the Upazila Health Complex where the doctor declared him dead. The family alleges that he died due to police torture. In another incident on June 13, a woman named Firoza Begum, 50, was arrested in a police operation in Katiadi municipality of Kishoreganj. According to media and local sources, she was taken to the police station even though there was no arrest warrant against her and she died in police custody the next morning. Although the police initially described the incident as a natural death, the CCTV footage of the police station building has not yet been released, which is very important to get a clear idea about the incident."

The statement further said: "In both cases, the families of the victims have accused the police of torture. But the police are prioritizing their statements and claiming that the death in custody was natural from the beginning – which is tantamount to giving a one-sided explanation without any investigation."

The organization believes that taking such a stance by the police during the investigation may hinder the path of justice. Such deaths are criminal offenses that can be investigated under the ‘Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act, 2013’. Therefore, it is very important to conduct a judicial investigation into the incidents to ensure impartiality.

At the same time, the organization demanded immediate release of CCTV footage of both incidents, the provision of security and legal assistance to the victim's family, and the holding of those responsible accountable.