The High Court has observed that the inspector general of police (IGP) should instruct the police not to produce any arrested persons before the media prior to producing them before the respective court.
The bench of Justice Enayetur Rahim and Justice M Amir Hossain came up with the observation yesterday while pronouncing a verdict over a 2009 bomb explosion at Gazipur police chief’s office during a press briefing.
In its verdict, the court commuted JMB member Md Mamunur Rashid alias Jahid’s death sentence to life-term imprisonment.
The court also observed that the investigation officer of the case was careless in conducting his duties and asked the authorities concerned to take departmental actions against the officer.
According to the case document, police arrested Jahid and three others on February 20, 2009, from Tongi area with five locally made grenades and explosive-making elements.
Gazipur police arranged a press briefing at the local police superintendent’s office where journalists from different media houses were invited. Jahid was produced before the media wearing handcuffs, while the grenades and the explosive materials were placed on a table in front of him.
As senior police officials left the room after the briefing was over, Jahid blasted one of the grenades, injuring 13 people, including policemen and journalists.
Police filed a case under the explosive act against Jahid that night, and on March 13, 2012, a Dhaka speedy trial court awarded him death sentence in the case. Jahid appealed against the death sentence with the High Court.
The High Court in its verdict yesterday described the police’s act to produce him in the press conference with grenades described as an irresponsible act.