Judge Kaniz Akhter Nasrina Khanam of the Fourth Special Tribunal for Women and Children Repression dismissed the case, saying allegations brought against two deputy commissioners of police, a constable and 14 other unnamed cops were not proved.

But primary investigation of a judicial inquiry commission found evidence of torture by police, who were also widely filmed by the media on that day.

"Such activities of police are a punishable crime under Bangladesh Penal Code," Metropolitan Magistrate Shafiq Anwar, who headed the one-member commission, said in his report, which was submitted before the tribunal.

It could have been appropriate for the police to arrest her and send to the court, but that was not done, said the report.

Two days after the police excesses on Road No 27 in Dhanmondi, Shanta filed a case with the Court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM), Dhaka against 17 cops.

Later, Shanta filed another case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.

When reached, her husband Advocate Atiur Rahman told The Daily Star that they will go to higher court challenging the order.