PBI to investigate case over gouging of a youth’s eyes

A Khulna court has ordered the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to investigate a case filed on September 7 over the gouging of a youth’s eyes. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Amali Adalat Judge Shahidul Islam passed the order on Sunday afternoon. The court also fixed October 18 for the next hearing. According to the prosecution, some police personnel gouged out the eyes of Md Shahjalal, a resident of Kaukhali upazila of Pirojpur, as he failed to pay them Tk150,000 as per their demand. Later, the victim's mother filed a case with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, accusing eight policemen, three Ansar members and two other people while the court fixed September 17 for passing an order. The accused are Officer-in-Charge of Khalishpur police station Nasim Khan, Sub-Inspectors Russel, Tapash Roy, Morselim Molla, Mizan, Mamun, Nur Islam, assistant Sub-Inspector Syed Saheb Ali, Ansar soldier Afsar Ali, Lance Nayek Abul Hossain, Naik Rezaul, Suma Aktar , a resident of Jessore Road in Khalishpur, and Russel, son of Lutfar Hawladar of Badamtala area. According to the complainant, Shajalal went to his in-law's house at Khalishpur on July 18. He was picked up by police from the area and then taken to Khalishpur police station. Later police demanded Tk150,000 from his family for his release but Shajalal's family failed to give the money. The next day, his family members found him at the Khulna Medical College and Hospital with his eyes gouged out. Shahjalal said the policemen gouged out his eyes with a screwdriver after taking him to a remote place. They then left him at the hospital.