Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Shafiqul Islam on Monday said police cannot avoid responsibility if anyone dies in the custody. The DMP boss said this in response to a query of reporters regarding the death of an official of Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) in the custody of Tejgaon Industrial Area police station on Sunday.
DMP Commissioner Shafiqul Islam was talking to reporters following Bangladesh Police Service Association’s paying tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait in the city’s Dhanmondi area. Earlier on Saturday Police detained BFDC floor in-charge Abu Bakar Siddique Babu, 45, in connection with a case filed under the Digital Security Act.
On Sunday Inspector Iftekhar Islam of Tejgaon Industrial Area police station took Babu to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in a critical condition where the on duty doctors declared him dead. Babu’s widow Aliya Begum alleged that there were several injury marks on his body. He committed suicide as he could not endure the torture of police, she further claimed.
Family members of the victim further alleged that AC Moinul and Inspector Iftekhar were responsible for the death of Babu. However, AC Moinul denied the allegations. Police claimed that Babu's suicide was even captured on CCTV footage and the allegations of torture in the custody is baseless.
DMP Commissioner Shafiqul Islam told reporters that immediately after the incident police informed him that the suspected had committed suicide. He, however said, “We are currently investigating the incident.” He said police cannot deny the responsibility if any suspected person dies in police custody.
“I have ordered to form a three-member probe committee to investigate the issue. I assure you that stern action will be taken if anyone of the police station is found guilty,” he vowed.