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Three cops get life for custodial death

Two others get 7 years each in first verdict over death in custody


Published : 09 Sep 2020 08:03 PM | Updated : 09 Sep 2020 10:04 PM

A Dhaka court sentenced three policemen including Sub-Inspector (SI) Zahid to life imprisonment in connection with the killing of a youth, Ishtiaque Ahmed Jony, in police custody in 2014.

The life term convicted are Sub Inspector of Pallabi Police Station Zahidur Rahman Zahid, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Rashedul and ASI KamruzzamanMintu.

The same court also sentenced two other accused, Sumon and Russell, two police sources, to seven years in jail.

According to the court sources, this is the country's first ever verdict under Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act, 2013.

Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge KM ImrulKayes passed the order and fined the trio with Tk 1 lakh, in default, asked to serve six more months in jail.

SI Zahid, and Sumon are now in jail while ASI Mintu and Russell are on the run. Police informant Rashed was produced before the court.

SI Zahidur Rahman Zahid is also an accused of businessman Sujanmurder case in police custody. The case is currently pending in the High Court.

According to the case statement, on February 9 in 2014, an altercation took place between police informantSumon and Jonywhen some girls were harassed by Sumonat a wedding reception at Irani Camp under Pallabi Police Station.

At one stage, Jony slapped Sumon. About half an hour later, a team of 25 to 26 police personnel, including Sub-Inspector Zahid, swooped on the people attending the ceremony and vandalised the stage, and picked up Jony, Rocky and few more people from the spot and took them to the police station.

The detained youths were tortured in police custody. SIZahid jumped on Jony's chest and spat in his face when he sought water, according to the statement.

Later, seriously injuredJony was taken to the National Heart Foundation where doctors declared him dead.

The court ordered judicial inquiry into the custodial death of Jony, after his brother Imtiaz Hossain Rocky filed a murder casein August, 2014.

Following a judicial inquiry, on February 17 in 2015, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Maruf Hossain submitted a report to the court against the five accused in the case. 

On November 18 in 2015, SI Zahidur, ASIKamruzzaman and ASI Rashidul surrendered before the court. Later, on April 17 in 2016, the court framed charges against them.