We are living at a time where headlines such as ‘Man Dies in Police Custody’ or ‘Investigation Continues after Custodial Death’ do not come as a surprise to the people of our country as police continue to maim, torture and kill citizens under their care without incurring liability. The latest victim is Mahbubur Rahman Sujon, a jhut (garment waste) trader who was allegedly tortured to death by police who had him in custody at Mirpur Police Station in the capital. Sujon, along with his wife and young son, were picked up from their home early Sunday and according to reports, Sub-Inspector Zahidur of Mirpur Police Station led the drive after being informed about Sujon possessing contraband items. According to Sujon’s wife Luchi, SI Zahidur had been extorting money from her husband on a monthly basis and had recently asked for 1 lakh taka. Sujon had been evading Zahidur after being threatened for not being able to pay. After being beaten in their homes and taken to Mirpur Police Station, Luchi said that her husband and she were kept in separate rooms and she was beaten with shoes in her son’s presence. Describing the torture, Luchi also said she heard her husband screaming in pain until dawn but afterwards everything went quiet. Sujon’s family claim that the police had been harassing him prior to this incident by filing false cases against him and finally torture in police custody led to his death.
Meanwhile, as part of primary punitive measures, Zahidur has been withdrawn to Rajarbagh Police Lines for Sujon’s death and a three-member committee has been formed to probe the incident. News reports have shown Salauddin Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Mirpur police station, denying the allegation of torturing Sujon to death, said Sujon was ‘arrested with two firearms and 10 rounds of bullets in his possession’ and fell ill after giving information about a stash of illegal firearms located elsewhere. DMCH sources said Sub-Inspector Afzal Hossain of Mirpur Police Station prepared an inquest report where he mentioned the deceased had injury marks on his hands, legs, head and different parts of his body.
This falls under a series of arrests made on suspicion under the controversial Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure which continue to defy Supreme Court orders. A landmark judgement delivered by the High Court in April 2003 issued a series of directives for stopping abuse of power by the police and other law enforcement personnel in arresting persons on suspicion and interrogating them in remand or custody. Salauddin’s arrogant assertions that there were no elements of crime involved in the death of the trader before an inquest was conducted on the custodial death and the result determined by a magistrate based on evidence show the level of unprofessionalism that is prevalent in the police force today.
IG of police and high officials cannot just be obedient to political government and forget their own responsibility to maintain and preserve police as a force to protect law and life. They must not be short-sighted as law enforcers. We cannot allow this country to become ruthless and anarchic because of the incompetence of the few. The political leadership can lack the knowledge and experience to do what is right. But well-trained police cannot fail the people for the failings of others.
