Two under-trial prisoners die in dhaka central jail, relatives create uproar at DMCH

Two under-trial prisoners have died in separate incidents at Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj. One of them died after suffering chest pain. The other was under treatment at the jail hospital after being ‘affected by dengue fever’. The bodies of the two under-trial prisoners have been kept at the morgue of Dhaka Medical College (DMCH) Hospital.

Doctors declared them dead after they were taken to DMCH Hospital on Saturday (October 24) afternoon. Later when relatives of Mehedi Hasan Kazi demanded handover of the body without post-mortem, an altercation and scuffle took place with jail guards and Ansar members in the hospital premises. Later police brought the situation under control.

The two deceased under-trial prisoners are Rafiqul Islam, 59, of Noakhali and Mehedi Hasan Kazi, 19, of Madaripur.

Jail guard Harun Sheikh has informed that around 3pm on Saturday chest pain started for Rafiqul Islam. When he fell ill, on the instruction of the jail authorities he was quickly taken to DMCH Hospital. Around 4pm the doctor declared him dead. He thinks Rafiqul may have died of a stroke. However, this jail guard could not immediately say in which case he was imprisoned.

Rafiqul Islam is the son of Saidur Rahman of Notun Bari area under Kabirhat Thana of Noakhali.

Jail guard Sahabul Islam has informed that the other under-trial Mehedi Hasan Kazi was imprisoned in a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. He has said, “Mehedi was recently affected by dengue and was under treatment at the jail hospital. On Saturday when his physical condition deteriorated, he was taken to DMCH Hospital.”

Sahabul Islam has informed that emergency department doctors sent Mehedi to the medicine department of the hospital’s new building. On the way there he became unconscious. Later when he was brought back to the emergency department, around 5pm the doctor declared him dead.

Mehedi Hasan is the son of Mohammad Faruk Kazi of Uttar Kazipara village under Shibchar Thana of Madaripur.

After Mehedi’s death his relatives demanded handover of the body without post-mortem. Over this an altercation and scuffle took place with the on-duty jail guards and Ansar members. Later Shahbagh Thana police went and brought the situation under control.

Mehedi’s brother Saeed Kazi has alleged that his brother was an SSC examinee this time. He was arrested and sent to jail in a false case seven months ago.

In-charge of DMCH Hospital police camp Inspector Habibur Rahman has said that the two bodies have been kept at the morgue for post-mortem. The matter has been informed to the jail authorities. Post-mortem will be done after preparing the inquest report in the presence of an executive magistrate. After completion of the legal process the bodies will be handed over to the relatives.