The driver of a battery-run three wheeler died early yesterday morning reportedly in the custody of Bhurungamari police under Kurigram after he had been arrested on Sunday for allegedly smuggling drugs.
The deceased, Mozaffar Hossain, 30, was the son of Abdul Wahab, a resident of Uttar Chhoto Gopalpur village in Bhurungamari upazila.
However, police sources said Mozaffar was an asthma patient and had died on the way to Kurigram General Hospital after he was referred there by doctors at Bhurungamari Health Complex.
He was taken to Bhurungamari Health Complex twice before as his condition deteriorated in police custody, said Bhurungamari police OC Imtiaz Kabir.
The brother-in-law of the deceased, Sohel, said police had detained Mozaffar from Jhal Bazar area in the upazila on Sunday evening when they failed to detain his passengers, who in fact had been carrying the drugs in a bag.
"I do not understand why police would take an under-observation patient to the police station again. Despite knowing of his health condition, they handled the situation with sheer irresponsibility that led to my brother's death," said Sohel.
Meanwhile, OC Imtiaz denied the allegations, mentioning Mozaffar died from his previous illness. He said police had nabbed him with 3.5 kilograms of hemp in his possession.
"An unnatural death case has been filed in this regard," the OC added.
"A three-member probe committee, formed to investigate the matter, will submit a report within three working days," said Kurigram Superintendent of Police Md Mohibul Islam.
