Rickshaw van puller dies after gruesome torture in Rajshahi

A rickshaw van puller died in prison custody after being publicly tortured in medieval style on theft charges in Bagmara Upazila of Rajshahi.

Omar Faruk, 38, died while undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) Hospital early Saturday.

Faruk was a resident of Chanpara Mohalla of Bhabaniganj Municipality and the son of Moslem Sardar. The incident has cast a shadow of intense anger and grief in the area.

The family and locals have demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in the incident.

Eyewitnesses said that on December 17, Faruk left his van in front of Bhabaniganj CNG stand on his way home and went to urinate around 5:45 pm. When he returned, he was captured by Bhabaniganj CNG Owners Association President Rezaul Karim and General Secretary Abdul Matin on charges of stealing CNG batteries. Then, some members of the association started beating him with iron rods in presence of them.

At one stage, when Faruk fell to the ground, he was made to stand against a nearby wall. It is alleged that 8 to 10 iron nails were hammered into his hands and feet at that time. Although Faruk was in severe pain, he was not given water.

Witnesses also said that he was later taken to the nearby Rani River, naked and immersed in water several times. Then he was taken to the CNG stand again and tortured. At one stage, there are allegations that dry chili powder was inserted into his anus.

When his's condition turned critical, the police were informed. It is alleged that the police arrived at the scene and refused to take him under custody. Later, Bagmara Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Saiful Islam Bhuyan went to the spot and demanded the recovery of a bag of weed from Faruk and sentenced him to seven days in prison and a fine of Tk100 through a mobile court.

After the sentence, he was first taken to the Bagmara Upazila Health Center in a CNG vehicle under police guard. From there, he was sent to Rajshahi Central Jail at 9:55 pm.

Senior Jail Superintendent of Rajshahi Central Jail Shah Alam Khan said that Faruk was sent to the prison in an injured condition. The next day, when his physical condition deteriorated, he was admitted to Ward No. 42 of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. He died around 5 am on Saturday. The body was handed over to the family after the autopsy.

The deceased's family said that there were signs of torture all over Faruk's body. There was no place from head to toe where there were no injury marks.

In this regard, Bhabaniganj CNG Owners Association President Rezaul Karim initially denied the allegations of beating. Later, he claimed that people beat Faruk on charges of theft, but he did not know who did it.

Bagmara Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Saidul Islam said that the police did not refuse to receive the injured Faruk. He was taken in a CNG vehicle due to the shortage of vehicles.

When asked about the legality of the mobile court and torture, Rajshahi Division Commissioner Dr. A. N. M. Bazlur Rashid said that the matter will be investigated and necessary action will be taken.