Ex-Kurigram DC Sultana Parvin sent to jail

A Kurigram court has ordered the imprisonment of former Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sultana Parvin in connection with the 2020 case involving the unlawful detention and torture of journalist Ariful Islam.

On Tuesday afternoon, Judge Mosammat Ismat Ara Begum of the Kurigram District and Sessions Judge Court rejected Parvin’s bail petition and directed her to be sent to jail.

Parvin appeared in court around 11:00 a.m, drawing significant attention from local residents and journalists. Crowds gathered on the court premises as the proceedings unfolded.

Representing the state were District Public Prosecutor Advocate Md. Bazlur Rashid and Advocate Azizur Rahman Dulu. Advocate Fakhrul Islam appeared for the defense.

The case dates back to March 13, 2020, when journalist Ariful Islam was picked up from his home late at night by officials from the DC office. According to the complaint, he was blindfolded, physically assaulted, and threatened with crossfire by then-RDC, NDC, and an executive magistrate.

Later that night, he was accused of possessing half a bottle of liquor and 150 grams of cannabis. A mobile court sentenced him to one year in prison in a matter of hours, sparking nationwide outrage.

Following his release, Ariful filed a case against those involved. The case has continued for the past five years, with Sultana Parvin identified as the prime accused.

After the incident, Parvin was removed from her post as DC and transferred to the Bureau of Statistics. She was later made an Officer on Special Duty (OSD).

Although she was recently granted temporary bail by the High Court, she appeared before the Kurigram court on Tuesday seeking permanent bail. The court denied the request and ordered her to be taken into custody.