Case Studies of Extrajudicial Killings, 2019-2021

Milon Bikash Tripura

Background: Milon Bikash Tripura (26), son of Mansarai Tripura of Arun Para area of Baghaichhari in Rangamati district died in Khagrachhari district jail on the morning, around 4:30 am of May 28, 2021. He was in charge of a tourist center in Sajek. The family complained that the death was not normal. He was found with a head injury and a towel scar on his neck, police said. According to the police, he committed suicide by hanging himself in the toilet of the isolation ward inside the jail.

Milon Bikash Tripura was arrested on May 16, 2021 at around 4 pm in a pornography case filed by a neighbour in Guimara area of Khagrachhari. The lawsuit alleges that Milon recorded a video of a neighbour’s 12-year-old child taking a bath on his mobile phone. The plaintiff said he had seen seven to eight videos on Milon’s mobile phone on the day of the incident and later showed them to the police and filed a case. The next day, on May 17, Milon was sent to Khagrachhari Jail on a court order.

Statement of the Family: Milon used to talk on the phone with his wife, Rima Tripura every day since he was sent to jail. He spoke to Rima on the phone on Thursday, May 27, 2021, the day before he died. Milon then wanted to know when he would be released from prison. According to Milon’s wife Rima Tripura, she sent two thousand taka at different times to a financial service via phone called Bikash under the direction of the jail authorities to talk to her husband. She also mentioned that Milon’s body had bruises on his neck and head. When she asked the authorities about how Milon got the towel, since they didn’t give him any towels while he was in jail, the jail authorities could not give her any convincing answer in this regard. She demanded a proper investigation into her husband’s death inside the prison.

Statements of the Police: Chobi Ranjan Tripura, assistant chief jailor at the Khagrachhari district jail told the press that he couldn’t tell anything about the incident since he was not present there at the time of the accident. Khagrachhari District Jail Super (Additional Duties) and Khagrachhari District Administration Executive Magistrate Assistant Commissioner Sajjad Hossain said that Milon Bikash Tripura tried to commit suicide by wrapping a towel around his neck with the rod of the ventilator of the latrine in the isolation ward inside the jail. He added that Milon was rescued by the on-duty chief jailer. On the advice of the assistant surgeon of the jail hospital, the jailer immediately shifted Milon to the Khagrachhari Modern District Sadar Hospital. Sajjad Hossain further said to a reporter of The Daily Star on May 29, 2021 that the investigation committee formed by the district administration has been directed to submit the report within three working days and the investigation committee formed by the jail authorities has been directed to submit the report within five working days. Necessary steps will be taken after the autopsy report. The Khagrachhari district administration has also given Taka 10,000 to Milon’s family for Milon’s funeral.

Statements of the Doctor: Khagrachhari Modern District Sadar Hospital Resident Physician (RMO) Ripple Bappi Chakma said a prisoner was brought to the hospital from Khagrachhari district jail and he died before being brought to the hospital. While investigating the body, Assistant Commissioner (Magistrate) Shamananda Ku-u said that black marks on the neck and marks of injuries on the head were found.

Current Status: A case has been registered in Khagrachhari Jail over the death of Milon Bikash Tripura. Milon’s father Mansarai Tripura filed the case in the Khagrachhari court on 3 June, 2021. The report of the inquiry committee formed by the jail authorities and the district administration on the death of the prisoner has not been submitted yet. The autopsy report of the body identified the cause of death as suicide.

Sanaul Haque Biswas

Background: Sanaul Haque Biswas (44), son of late Murshed Biswas of Chanshikari village in Bholahat upazila, was allegedly tortured to death while being in the custody of the District Detective Police (DB) at Bholahat in Chapainawabganj. The incident reportedly occurred at Chanshikari village in Bholahat around 9 pm on April 29, 2021. He was accused in a drug case of Bholahat Police Station. He died at the Chapainawabganj District Hospital. Family alleges that Sanaul died as a result of torture while the police denied the allegations.

Statement of the Family: According to the family, DB police occasionally demanded money from Sanaul. After arresting him, they demanded 10 lakh taka. At one point the police demanded 2 lakh taka and Sanaul refused to pay it. Consequently, he was tortured, the family insists. Sanaul’s brother, Masud Rana, said his brother went out to buy eggs around 8:30 pm after breaking his fast on 29 April, 2021. A team of detectives arrested him on his way to a nearby shop. They started beating him there. The family further complained that after the severe beating, his brother repeatedly asked for water but he was denied. Later he was taken to the mango orchard next to the house and beaten further. This made his brother sick, Rana claims. At that time the police took him to Bholahat Upazila Health Complex. Doctors there did not accept him as his condition was severe. He died later. Rana denied that his brother was a drug dealer and claimed that there weren’t any cases against him. It has also been alleged that the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bholahat police station brought some local Awami League leaders to the place to resolve the issue. The leaders were pressuring the family not to make any complaints and receive the body without any further actions.

Statements of the Police: Denying all the allegations, police stated that Sanaul died of a heart attack. According to the statement of Chapainawabganj Additional Superintendent of Police Mahbub Alam Khan, Sanaul was a fugitive accused in a drug case. He was taking drugs in a garden that night and he tried to flee when he sensed the presence of police there. When he fell to the ground, the police arrested him. When Sanaul felt pain in his chest after his arrest, he was first taken to Bholahat Upazila Health Complex, and later to the Chapainawabganj Adhunik Sadar Hospital around 11:30 pm for better treatment. He died at around 2:45 am while undergoing treatment there. He insisted that Sanaul was a drug dealer. According to the police, they raided his house without his presence on April 13 and recovered 180 bottles of Phensidyl. A case was filed at Bholahat police station in this regard. He further said that the autopsy was completed after the inquest report of the body on April 30 afternoon and it was handed over to the family later in the afternoon.

Statement of the Doctor: A doctor said on condition of anonymity that there were signs of injuries on the body’s knee.

Current Status: A court has directed RAB to investigate the death of Sanaul in the custody of Detective Branch (DB) police at Bholahat in Chapainawabganj. A directive in this regard was issued on May 2, 2021 by Senior Judicial Magistrate Abu Kahar of Bholahat Amli Court.

Delwar Hossain

Background: Delwar Hossain (28) was killed in an alleged ‘gunfight’ with RAB at Ramu upazila in Cox’s Bazar. The incident took place at around 8 pm on March 3, 2021 in the rubber garden area of Ramu. Delwar Hossain is the son of Kala Miah of Uttar Jalliapara village in Teknaf upazila. Reportedly, about 4 lakhs of Yaba, one pistol, four rounds of ammunition and a bullet casing were recovered from him at that time and the police claimed that Delwar was a drug dealer.

Statement of the Family: No response from the family members of the deceased has been recorded yet.

Statement of the Police: RAB-7 Deputy Commander Major Mushfiqur Rahman said that Delwar had been under surveillance for a long time after receiving information about his involvement with Yaba trade. He told that members of RAB-7 arrested Delwar from Lohagara in Chittagong on the morning of March 3, 2021. The raiders then took him to Cox’s Bazar. RAB-15 of Cox’s Bazar joined there. According to his information, raids were carried out in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar and Ramu. After failing everywhere, RAB-7 went on a raid in the hilly area of Rubarbagan area of North Mithachari of Ramu’s Jowarianala Union at around 7 pm. While sensing the presence of RAB there, Yaba dealers started firing and RAB members then fired back in self-defense. At one stage, when the firing stopped, they searched the spot and found the bullet-riddled body of Delwar which was sent to the morgue of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for autopsy.

Case Status: The Vice Captain of RAB-7 Major Mushfique Rahman said to a local reporter on March 4, 2021 that legal process is underway in this regard.

Rezaul Karim Reza

Background: Rezaul Karim Reza (30), who was a trainee lawyer of Barishal court, died in the custody of Barisal Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB) police on the night of January 2, 2021. He was a resident of Hamid Khan Road of Barishal metropolis and son of Yunus Miah. On the night of December 29, 2020, DB police arrested Reza from a tea shop in front of his house on Hamid Khan Road. On December 30, 2020, he was shown arrested in a drug case and sent to jail after producing him in a court. He reportedly fell ill in jail on the night of January 1, 2021 and was rushed to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital. He died at the hospital on January 2, 2021.

Statement of the Family: The victim’s family alleged that he died of excessive bleeding after being tortured by the police. According to the victim’s father Yunus Mia, on December 31, 2020, the Sub-Inspector (SI) of Barisal DB Police Mohiuddin Mahi arrested his son (Reza) for being a drug addict. Later he was taken to the DB office and tortured. He alleged that when he contacted the Metropolitan DB Police Office and Kotwali Model Police Station after the arrest of his son, the police did not provide any information to him. The victim’s family also said that they received a phone call from the hospital on the night of January 1, 2021 that informed them that Reza had been admitted to a prison cell and excess blood is oozing from his genitals. Family members alleged that Reza died because of torture by SI Mohiuddin.

Reza’s cousin, Mahfuz Hossain said that SI Mohiuddin’s house is in the same area. Reportedly, for a long time, Mohiuddin was engaged in extortion. He has previously arrested people and demanded money; failing to meet his demands resulted in being beaten and falsely charged in drug cases.

Claiming that her husband died as a result of police torture, Rezaul’s wife Marufa Begum said, ‘Reza was healthy at the time of the arrest. What kind of disease he got that he would die in two days?’ She also stated that, after the arrest, her father-in-law Yunus Munshi went to the DB office and her husband was tortured in front of him. When her father-in-law protested, SI Mohiuddin kicked him too.

Masum Billah, a relative of his family said that Reza had died of severe bleeding from police torture. According to Masum Billah, DB Police picked up Reza and asked him to provide information about people whom he could arrest, which would result in his release. Reza declined to name anyone. Then SI said, “I know how to do it. I’ll take you first, then show you how to do it”. Masum added that after being taken away, neither had they allowed any further communication, nor had they said where he was taken. The family tried to communicate but was not allowed. Even after they were told about hospitalizing him, the family members were told not to buy medicine, not to see or talk to him.

Statement of the Police: Accused Sub-Inspector (SI) of Metropolitan Detective Police Mohiuddin told that Reza was arrested with 138 grams of Gaza and 4 ampoules of narcotic injection. He was handed over to Kotwali Model Police Station at 12:15 pm on the same day. The case was filed that night and the next day the court sent him to jail. According to him, the allegation of torturing him was false. Senior jail superintendent of Barisal Central Jail Prashant Kumar Banik said the detainee’s illness was mentioned in the forwarding paper while accepting the accused Reza. Other than that, there were wounds on his body. He was admitted to the hospital with bleeding from his arm. Barisal Metropolitan Police Commissioner Shahabuddin Khan said, ‘We have sent the accused to the court in good health as per the rules. From there he was sent to custody.’ He also added that they had formed a committee to investigate the allegations that came from the family. But Barishal Police was not willing to accept the allegation of negligence in the investigation. According to them, the victim had been charged with drug trafficking before. Senior jail superintendent of Barisal Central Jail, Prashant Kumar Banik, said Rezaul was sent to jail on December 30. Then the doctor in the jail saw him and sent him to the hospital thinking that he was a little sick. The letter sent him to jail stating that he had injuries to his ankle. When he started bleeding from the artery of his leg on January 1, he was sent to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment and his relatives were informed.

Statement of the Doctor: Harekrishna Sikder who is in-charge of the emergency department of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital told that the prison authorities admitted Reza to the men’s surgery unit at 9:35 am on January 1 due to bleeding. The cause of his death was mentioned as ‘cardiopulmonary failure’, ‘hemorrhagic shock’.

Case Status: A murder case has been registered in connection with the death of Rezaul Karim Reza on January 5, 2021, three days after his death. Rezaul’s father Yunus Munshi filed the case in the Barisal Metropolitan Court on the morning of January 5, 2021. Besides filing a case under the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act, a case had also been filed under under Section 302/34 of the Penal Code against the three accused of premeditated murder. Yunus Munshi said he went to Kotwali police station on Monday, January 4, 2021 to file a murder case. But the police did not take the case. He was forced to file a case in court.

Mohiuddin Ahmed, a sub-inspector of the Detective Branch (DB) of the city police, has been made the main accused in the case. Two others were also charged but their names were not mentioned. Yunus Munshi had mentioned in the case that if he could see the two unidentified persons, he would be able to recognize them. Yunus Munshi also alleged a cover up by the jail authorities.

The Metropolitan Judicial Magistrate Court Judge, Anisur Rahman, directed the Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to investigate the case and submit a report to the court by February 23, 2021. A three-member investigation committee formed by the police about the incident had started its investigation since January 5, 2021. The accused SI Mohiuddin Mohi had been withdrawn from the detective police branch and attached to the police lines.

Raihan Ahmed

Background: Raihan Ahmed (about 35) died at Sylhet M. A. G. Osmani Medical College Hospital on the morning of October 11, 2020. It has been alleged that he died after being tortured at the Bandarbazar outpost of Sylhet Metropolitan Police. The deceased was the son of the late Habibur Rahman of Akhalia Neharipara area of Sylhet city. He used to work in a private diagnostic center in the Rikabibazar area of the city.

Raihan Ahmed was arrested from the Kastghar Sweeper Colony area of Sylhet on the night of October 10, 2020 and brought to the Bandarbazar police outpost that night. Outpost police claimed that Raihan Ahmed was lynched by local people after a mugging. Then they [police] rescued him in critical condition and took him to the hospital, where he later died while undergoing treatment. But no incident of lynching was seen in the footage captured by the CCTV cameras in the vicinity and the whole area is covered by CCTV cameras. The City Corporation which monitors the CCTV cameras released the footage; it angered many people and there was serious commotion. Within 24 hours, a case was filed in the police station under the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act. Raihan’s family alleges he died as a result of police torture while in custody. According to Osmani Medical College Hospital documents, Raihan was admitted to the hospital at 7:40 am and died at 7:50 am. The investigating agency said that two autopsies found injuries to the body. According to the autopsy report, 111 marks of injuries were found on his body. Of these, 14 were severe. Two fingernails were removed and such torture was carried out two to four hours before his death. In addition, about two liters of blood was found in his body from under the skin. Outpost in-charge SI Akbar fled to India. In the face of public outcry and campaign Akbar was brought back to the country from India and arrested.

Statement of the Family: According to family members of Raihan, when he did not return home on the night of October 10, 2020, they searched for him. Later, Raihan’s family members were informed by phone from the Bandarbazar outpost that Raihan was in police custody. According to the family, the number from which the call was made was probably that of a policeman. No one was answering the phone later when contacted again. Raihan’s uncle told that after receiving the call, he went to the Bandarbazar police outpost with some money and a policeman told him to go to the outpost between 9:30 am to 10:00 am. At that time, he asked him to bring 10 thousand taka. Although he wanted to meet Raihan at that time, he was not allowed to do so. Raihan’s cousin, Abdur Rahman, said that after going to the outpost around 9:30 am, he was informed that ‘Raihan was not in the outpost but was taken to hospital’. He then found Raihan’s body in the morgue of the hospital. Raihan’s family was then informed by the police that Raihan was caught while committing robbery in the Kastghar area of the city and was injured in the lynching and later he died. However, Raihan’s family found out that there were no robberies or lynchings in the area. No images of lynching were found on CCTV cameras in the area. The family then accused Raihan of being tortured to death in police custody.

After police filed the charge sheet, Raihan Ahmed’s mother, Salma Begum, told them that they were not satisfied with the charge sheet. According to her, a lot of fabricated information had been given in her son’s name in the charge sheet to protect the policemen. His family had given a 72-hour ultimatum to the police to demand a speedy trial. Salma Begum also went on a hunger strike with her family members, which was joined by many people.

Statement of the Police: The police have denied any responsibility in this incident. Police claimed that Raihan died at the Bandarbazar outpost of Kotwali police station after being injured in a lynching incident at the Kastghar area. According to the police, one of Raihan’s family members went to the outpost again around 10:15 am on October 11, 2020 and the police officer on duty said that Raihan had fallen ill and was admitted to M. A. G. Osmani Medical College Hospital. He then went to the hospital and found out in the emergency department that Raihan was admitted to the hospital at 7:40 am and died at 7:50 am.

Case Status: A case was registered against Sylhet Kotwali Police Station on the basis of the phone call that came from Bandarbazar outpost. Raihan’s wife, Tahmina Akhter, filed the murder case on October 12 at around 2:30 pm. She did not accuse anyone in the case. However, in the statement of the case, it was mentioned that Raihan Ahmed went to the stadium market of his workplace on October 10, 2020. The next day, at 4:33 am, Raihan’s uncle Habibullah received a call from a mobile number [the case has the telephone number]. At that time, Raihan shouted and said that, “Come to Bandarbazar police outpost with money, save me,” On hearing this, Raihan’s uncle went to the Bandarbazar police outpost at around 5:30 am and when asked where Raihan was, a police officer on duty said that he had fallen asleep. And the policeman who caught Raihan has also left. At that time, the policeman told Habibullah to come to the outpost around 9:30 am with 10 thousand taka.

On October 12, 2020, Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner Golam Kibria formed a three-member investigation committee after receiving allegations that Raihan was killed in police torture at Bandarbazar outpost. The investigation into the case was handed over to the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) on October 14, 2020. On the day of the incident (October 10) from midnight to dawn the next day, three constables, Shamim Mia, Saidur Rahman and Delwar Hossain, who were on duty at the sentry post in the outpost, have provided statements to the court under Section 164 and said that they found evidence of torture. They said that Akbar asked Saidur and Delwar to give false testimony. He threatened to shoot them (Saidur and Delwar) in the chest if they told the truth. On October 12, four persons including SI Akbar Hossain who was then in charge of the outpost were withdrawn. Akbar has not been available since October 13 after his dismissal. He was a fugitive between October 13 and November 6. Akbar fled the city with the help of a journalist named Noman and fled to Companiganj. On November 9, Akbar was caught by police in Dona area on the Bangladesh-India border in Kanaighat upazila of Sylhet. The PBI filed a charge sheet against six people, including five policemen, in connection with Raihan’s murder about seven months later. The charge sheet was filed in the court on May 5, 2021. The court has accepted the charge sheet on September 30, 2021. However, the trial is yet to start.

Abdul Mannan Munna

Background: Abdul Mannan Munna (35) was killed in an alleged gunfight with police at Azogram of Sultanpur Union in Sylhet’s Zakiganj in the early morning hours of August 3, 2020. According to the police he was accused in 12 cases. The deceased was the son of late Yasin Ali of Khadiman village under Sultanpur union of Zakiganj upazila.

Statement of the Police: Police claimed that Munna was accused in 12 cases including peddling drugs, smuggling, possessing illicit weapons and explosives, and engaging in preparation for robbery. According to the police, he was arrested on August 2, 2020 in the afternoon as there was an arrest warrant against him. Under extensive interrogation, he said that he had yaba and weapons in his home. After receiving such information, the police reached the village at night on the way to retrieve yaba and weapons. After reaching there, Munna’s associates started shoting at the police. Then police also fired back in self-defense. After a while, Munnar’s associates retreated. They escaped but Munna was shot. Then the police rescued him from the spot and had him taken to Zakiganj Upazila Health Complex where the on-duty doctor declared him dead. The body of Munna was sent to the morgue of Osmani Medical College Hospital.

Police claimed that 6 policemen were injured in the firing of drug dealers. A pipe gun, five rounds of ammunition, six sharp knives and 800 pieces of yaba were recovered from the spot. In this case three separate cases were recorded.

Major (Retd.) Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan

Background: Retired Army Major Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan (38) was killed by police at the Shamlapur checkpost on Marine Drive Road in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar at around 9:25 pm on July 31, 2020 .

According to the family members, Major Sinha was visiting Cox’s Bazaar in connection with making a documentary. On July 6, 2020, Major Sinha along with his associates Shipra Debnath, Shahedul Islam Sifat and Tahsin Rifat Noor, stayed at Nilima Resort in Cox’s Bazar. During their visit local people reportedly informed him of their plight as they have become hostage to the local police station and its officers, particularly of Liquat Ali and Pradeep Das. On July 31, 2020, in the evening, Major Sinha climbed the Twinya hill in Marishbunia village. At that time, an announcement was made using the microphone of the local mosque of an ongoing robbery at the village. This false announcement was orchestrated by Ayaz Uddin and Nurul Amin, two police informants. Sinha’s movements have been monitored since that morning. OC Pradeep was informed that Major Sinha had gone to Shamlapur hill in Teknaf in a private car. At that time, through the source, the inspector in charge of Baharchhara camp Liaquat Ali kept an eye on Sinha. According to the statement of the case filed later, Sinha was in the mountains till 8 pm with his colleagues and was filming some of the evenings/evening scenes. Later, Inspector Liaquat Ali, stopped the vehicle when Sinha reached Shamlapur checkpost at around 9:25 pm. At that time, Sinha introduced himself as a retired army officer. Liaquat then opened the left side door of the car and dragged Sinha’s associate Sifat out. At that moment, Sifat raised both hands and introduced himself and Sinha was sitting in the car. Police officers, verbally abused Sinha, who was in the driver’s seat. Sinha got out of the car, raised his hands and repeatedly introduced himself. But Liaquat Ali started slandering Sinha. He kept saying, ‘I see a lot of majors like you. Let’s watch the game this time’. After that, Liaquat Ali called OC of Teknaf Police Station Pradeep Kumar Das and started consulting him. Then Liaquat Ali fired a few shots at Sinha’s body from close range. Sinha, after being shot, fell on the ground and tried to escape. Then he was grabbed and thrown on the ground again by police. Liaquat Ali fired another shot to confirm Sinha’s death. According to an eyewitness, Sarwar Kamal, after Inspector Liaquat shot him, he said on his mobile, “Sir, I have given three.” Shortly afterwards, the OC of Teknaf Police Station Pradeep Kumar Das came and kicked Major Sinha on the chest and back and called him a bitch, who had fallen to the ground but was still alive. At that time, OC Pradeep tried to distort his face and feet by hitting them with his boots and fired two shots in a row to confirm Major Sinha’s death. At that time, the police pushed away the witnesses of the case and the people around the scene by raising their weapons and threatening to kill them. Sinha was taken to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital by truck around 1:45 am where the doctor on duty pronounced him dead.

Case Status: A Cox’s Bazar court sentenced the suspended OC Pradeep Kumar Das and Baharchhara police outpost inspector Liaquat Ali to death on January 31, 2022 in this case.

Seven people have been sentenced to life imprisonment. The court acquitted the other six accused in the case. The judge described the killings as “premeditated”.

At first, Police arrested three students of Stamford University after he was killed, who were Sinha’s accomplices working on a documentary with retired Major Sinha. Sinha’s accomplices Shipra Debnath and Sahedul Islam Sifat were released on bail respectively on August 9 and August 10, 2020. The killing of Major (Retd.) Sinha sparked tensions between the army and police. On August 2, 2020 the Home Ministry’s Public Security Department formed a four-member inquiry committee into Sinha’s murder. The committee conducted an on-the-spot investigation and submitted a report to the Home Ministry with recommendations on the cause and source of the incident. Later, 1,505 members of the district police administration, including police superintendents and constables, were simultaneously transferred from Cox’s Bazar. Immediately after the incident, Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed and Army Chief Aziz Ahmed visited the spot.

According to the autopsy report of Major (Retd.) Sinha and eyewitness Sarwar Kamal, traces of more than four bullets were found on the body of Sinha. Earlier, police found six bullet marks on the body in the inquest report.

A total of four cases have been registered in connection with Sinha’s murder. Immediately after the incident, the police filed three cases against Sinha. Two of the cases were registered at Teknaf police station and one at Ramu police station. Two of the three cases involved drug possession and one assault on police. Sinha’s sister, Sharmin Shahriar Ferdous, filed the murder case. In the case filed in the court on August 5, 2020, she accused- Teknaf Baharchhara Police Investigation Center in-charge Sub-Inspector (SI) Liaquat Ali, SI Nanda Dulal Rakshit, Constable Safanur Karim, Kamal Hossain, Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Liton Mia, SI Tutul, Constable. Mostafa. They were all working at the Baharchhara police investigation center in Teknaf that night. RAB was assigned to investigate all four cases. RAB arrested 14 people including Pradeep Kumar Das and Liaquat Ali for their involvement in the incident. The trial began on June 26, 2021.

Abdullah Al Mamun

Background: Abdullah Al Mamun (22) died in police custody in Kishoreganj of Nilphamari. He was found hanging from the ceiling inside a police station on 10 August, 2019 around 5 pm. He was the son of late Huzur Ali of Jadumani village in Kishoreganj.

Statement of the Family: The family of the deceased claimed that he had been beaten to death. Abdullah Al Manun’s mother, Monira Begum, claimed that police tortured her son to death and allegations of theft against him were completely false.

Statement of the Police: According to the police, Abdullah Al Mamun committed suicide by tearing the kantha (quilt) in the police station.

Locals apprehended Abdullah Al Mamun on August 10, 2019 afternoon for allegedly stealing a cow of Abdul Quddus from Kesba Telipara village of Sadar union. He was then kept at the house of Nargis Begum, a member of the local Union Parishad. Upon receiving the news, the police brought him with the cow around 2 pm and kept him in police custody. Sub-inspector of the police station Zahid Hasan filed a case in this regard. Preparations were underway to keep him in police custody and send him to court. But then he was reportedly found hanging in the jail around 4:30 pm. Denying the allegation of the accused’s mother, Kishoreganj Police Station OC Harun-ur-Rashid said that, he (Mamun) had been arrested more than once in the theft and drug cases before. An unnatural death case has been filed in this regard. Police also said at that time that an investigation team will be formed.

Nayan Bond

Background: Sabbir Ahmed alias Nayan Bond (25), the main accused in Rifat Sharif murder case, was killed in an alleged ‘gunfight ‘ with police around 4:15 am on July 1, 2020 on the banks of Payra river of East Burirchar village of Burirchar union in Barguna Sadar. On June 26, 2019, Rifat Sharif, an internet service provider, was attacked by Nayan Bond and Rifat Farazi, together with others, with sharp weapons in front of his wife, Ayesha Siddika Minni. A video of the incident, which was almost certainly shot on a mobile phone, quickly went viral on social media. His wife attempted to protect him from the attackers. Rifat was pronounced dead at Barishal Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital (BSMCH) after being fatally injured later that day.

Statement of the Police: According to the police, on the basis of secret information, the police of Barguna Sadar Police Station went to the village around 4 am to arrest Nayan Bond. When the police went in front of Khalil Master’s house in the village, Nayan Bond and his accomplices are alleged to have launched a surprise attack on the police. At that time, the police also fired back in self-defense. Nayan was killed on the spot. According to the OC, a pistol, a fresh bullet, three machetes and three bullet casings were seized from the spot. Four policemen were injured in the attack. They were sent to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital. Nayan Bond’s body was recovered and sent to Barguna District Hospital morgue for autopsy. Police said, there were eight cases against Nayan Bond. Among these cases, there are two drug cases, one arms case and five assault cases including attempted murder.

Statement of the Local people: According to the residents of East Burirchar village, they heard several shots at around 4:15 am. This woke them up. At around 5 in the morning, they saw the body of a young man lying on the slope of the embankment in front of the door of Khalil Master’s house surrounded by the police.

Shishir Ghosh

Background: Shishir Ghosh (28) was killed on the night of August 7, 2019, while in police custody in Mahidia village of Jashore district. According to police, Shishir was a criminal and there were more than sixteen cases of murder and extortion against him. The family of the victim accused police of killing Shishir and claiming it as a ‘gunfight.’

Statement of the Family: According to Shishir’s family, on the night of August 6, around 8:30 pm, police came to their house and picked up Shishir. Shishir’s uncle, Sunil Ghosh, added that the police arrested Shishir in an arms case and later took him (Shishir) to a brick kiln located in Mahidia village, killed him, and later transferred the corpse to the hospital morgue. Sunil Ghosh also said there was no case or warrant in Shishir’s name. When he was taken away by the DB police, he (Sunil Ghosh) called the OC of DB and was assured that nothing will happen to Shishir, he was brought for interrogation and will be released soon after. ‘But in the morning, we found the body, said Sunil. The family said that they will file a murder case against the police. The uncle of the deceased also went live on Facebook and asked for justice for Shishir from the human rights organizations and the government.

Statement of the Police: Md. Moniruzzaman, the OC of the Kotwali Police Station in Jashore, refuted Shishir family’s accusations. According to the OC, Shishir Ghosh was detained by the Detective Branch (DB) of the police at 10:30 p.m. on August 7 with four cocktails and taken to the Kotwali police station. He was accused of violating the Explosives Control Act by the police. Shishir admitted to having a firearm during the preliminary interrogation. On a search operation, a joint team of Kotwali Police and DB took him to a brick kiln in Mahidia village, Sadar Upazila. There, he and his associates opened fire on police officers. In retaliation, police fired two rounds. Attackers fled but Shishir was hurt. Shishir was eventually rescued and transferred to Jashore General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by doctors. Police claimed to have recovered one shooter gun and two bullets from the site.