The High Court yesterday directed the Dhaka superintendent of police and officer-in-charge of Ashulia police station to submit by June 18 reports on what actions have been taken against the policemen for the alleged torture and death of a youth in custody.
It also sought a report from the three-member committee, formed by the government to investigate the matter, by this time.
The bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice ABM Altaf Hossain passed the order following a writ petition filed by rights body Ain O Salish Kendra.
According to the petition, tea vendor Ripon Sikder, 30, was allegedly tortured to death in police custody at Nabinagar of Ashulia on May 21 as he could not meet their undue demand for Tk1,000.
“Torturing a person physically or mentally is a gross violation of fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution,” the petition said.
In a rule, the court asked the authorities concerned as to why they should not be directed to take departmental and punitive actions against the persons responsible for alleged torture and custodial deaths of citizens, including Ripon.
It also asked the authorities concerned as to why they should not be directed to pay adequate compensation to Ripon’s family. The court asked the respondents to explain why they shall not be directed to refrain from abusing power that results in custodial deaths.
Abantee Nurul, a lawyer for ASK, told the Dhaka Tribune that the home secretary, the IGP, the Dhaka SP and the Ashulia OC were asked to respond to the rule by one month.
Assisted by Abu Obaidur Rahman, Supreme Court lawyer ZI Khan Panna pleaded for the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Biswojit Roy stood on behalf of the state.