New Desk :
Angry locals blocked a highway in Lalmonirhat in protest against the death of a man in police custody after he was detained on suspicion of gambling.
Relatives allege that 25-year-old Robiul Islam Khan died as a result of police brutality.
But Lalmonirhat’s Additional Superintendent of Police Rabiul Islam said the ‘real cause of death’ will only be known after an autopsy, reports bdnews24.com.
A fair was organised in Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila’s Hiraminik as part of the
Bangla New Year celebrations on Thursday. According to police, however, a gambling den had been set up next to the fair.
Tipped-off, officers from Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station went to the spot around 11 pm and arrested two people.
But Robiul was taken directly to the Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital instead of the police station as he “fell ill”.
Upon arriving at the hospital, the doctor recommended that he be sent to Rangpur after administering first aid, according to Islam. But he subsequently died around 11:30 pm amid preparations to take him to Rangpur, he said.
A pall of grief soon descended on the Sadar Hospital as Robiul’s loved ones rushed in to see him.
“My son never gambles. He went to the fair to see me,” said Robiul’s mother Safia Begum. “He was beaten to death by the police. I want justice.”
Meanwhile, Halimur Rahman, a Sub-Inspector of Lalmonirhat Sadar police station, who has been accused of beating Robiul to death was withdrawn from duty and attached to Lalmonirhat Police Lines, said Shah Alam, officer-in-charge (OC) of the police station.
He said an investigation committee has been formed by the police to find out the real cause of the death.
