Banned BCL activist's death in DB custody: Departmental action sought against 11 officers including OC

A departmental case has been recommended against 11 members of the Detective Branch (DB) of police, including the officer-in-charge, following the custodial death of Mirza Ishtiaq Ahmed Pranto, 27, an alleged member of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), according to an internal police investigation.

The recommendation was made in a report prepared by Faridpur District Police and forwarded to Police Headquarters after an internal inquiry into the incident.

Faridpur Superintendent of Police Shahriar Mohammad Miazi confirmed the development, saying the investigation found grounds for disciplinary proceedings against all 11 officers who took part in the operation.

Those named in the recommendation include DB Officer-in-Charge Md. Alamgir Hossain, Sub-Inspectors Md. Ahaduzzaman and Motahar Ali, Assistant Sub-Inspector Md. Hajikul Islam, constables Abu Sufian, Rakib Molla, Moniruzzaman, Md. Rakibul Islam, Farhad Hossain Mia, Champa Haldar, and police driver Md. Sabuj Molla.

According to the investigation, Pranto was detained by DB officers outside his home in West Gondhardia of Madhukhali municipality on June 20. The following morning, he reportedly fell ill while in custody and was taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital, where he later died.

After his death, DB Sub-Inspector Ahaduzzaman filed a narcotics case, claiming Pranto had been arrested during a late-night operation and that 100 grams of cannabis had been recovered from his possession.

However, the internal inquiry uncovered significant inconsistencies.

Investigators reviewed video footage showing that the arrest took place during daylight hours, with Pranto dressed in a lungi. The footage allegedly shows a DB officer striking him on the head during the search, while another officer can be heard shouting that a bag had been found nearby.

The inquiry also found that the two witnesses listed in the narcotics case told investigators they were not present during the operation. They alleged they were later pressured into signing documents related to the case.

Pranto's mother, Khadija Akter, alleged before the inquiry committee that DB officers initially demanded Tk 65,000 and later Tk 100,000 in exchange for her son's release. She said she arrived in Faridpur with the money the next day, only to learn that her son had died.

Following the incident, a three-member inquiry committee headed by Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Fatema Islam was formed. The committee submitted its findings on July 27, after which the report, along with recommendations for disciplinary measures, was sent to Police Headquarters.

SP Miazi said the investigation concluded that every officer involved in the operation had committed some form of misconduct or procedural violation. He declined, however, to comment further on the discrepancies in the video evidence, witness statements, or the extortion allegations while the matter remains under review.