A high-powered probe committee, formed by the Cabinet Division, has inspected different spots in Rajshahi and interviewed several people as part of their investigation into the death of Sultana Jasmine, a land office employee in Naogaon, who died in Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) custody.
The committee questioned Jasmine's son, brother Sultan Mahmud, uncle Nazmul Haque, her landlord and two more eyewitnesses on Monday afternoon as part of its investigation.
On the last day of this three-day tour on Wednesday, the team visited Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Rajpara police station, Naogaon Sadar General Hospital, Naogaon Sadar police station and other key spots related to the death of the land office staff.
The head of the investigation committee, Cabinet Secretary (Coordination and Reforms) Mahmudul Hossain Khan, said that he is investigating the case with much care.
After his interview with the committee on Monday, Jasmine's brother Sultan Mahmud spoke to the media and said: "My sister was healthy before her arrest. She became ill after being taken into custody by RAB and died while receiving treatment. I consider RAB responsible for this. I hope the real culprits will be identified."
In compliance with a High Court order, the Cabinet Division formed the committee on May 22. Cabinet Secretary (Coordination and Reforms) Mahmudul Hossain Khan was made the coordinator of the committee.
Other members of the committee included an additional secretary of the Public Administration Ministry and an additional secretary of the Home Ministry.
Besides, a senior district and sessions judge, a chief judicial magistrate, a civil surgeon, an additional district magistrate and an additional superintendent of police, all from Naogaon, were made members of the committee.
On March 22, RAB arrested land office employee Sultana Jasmine in Naogaon after Joint Secretary Enamul Haque, working in the Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner's office, filed a complaint.
Enamul Haque alleged that Jasmine and another person named Al Amin hacked his Facebook ID and offered jobs to various people. They scammed money from individuals through this method.
Four hours after the arrest, RAB took Jasmine to Naogaon Sadar Hospital when she fell ill. From there she was sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. The woman died on March 24 while under treatment.
After her death, it was discovered that Enamul Haque had filed a case under the Digital Security Act (DSA) against Jasmine and her alleged accomplice Al Amin with Rajpara police station on March 23. Al Amin was arrested by RAB from Dhaka on March 26.
