Brutal torture on SSC examinee in custody
The district police are investigating the alleged brutal torture on SSC examinee Md Rasel Khan in the custody of Rajapur police station on March 28 and 29.
Rasel Khan, 15, son of Saidur Raman Khan of Boro Kaibortokhali in Rajapur upazila, appeared at this year's SSC examinations from Rajapur Pilot High School.
Rasel's neighbour Selim Howlader said he had complained to police as the boy teased his college going daughter Selina Aktar, 17.
The girl, on the other hand, told ASP (Circle) AFM Anwar Hossen Khan, who is investigating the matter, that she has 'love relations with the boy.
“On night of March 28, Masud Gazi, an influential man of the same area, called Rasel over phone and took him to the police station," said Helena Begum, mother of the victim.
The boy was kept in the police custody for two days without recording his arrest or detention in the GD (General Dairy) book, informed a reliable source seeking anonymity.
"The OC (officer in charge) of the police station tortured my son three times in the custody to force him to marry Selina. The OC also arrested me and released me after taking three thousand taka on March 29,” said Helena.
"Through brutal torture, the OC forced me to say that I would marry the girl but when he demanded Tk 4 lakh as the denmohor (dowry to be paid to the bride) I refused. The OC also pressurised me tell, when I would be taken before a marriage registrar, that my age is 25 years although I am 15 years 5 months old, according to birth and school registration certificates," said the boy.
On March 30, the OC presented the boy before a mobile court consisting of Executive Magistrate Mahabuba Aktar of Rajapur, showing him as 18 years' old and the mobile court awarded him six months' imprisonment on charge of teasing a girl.
Tayef Uddin Mia, superintendent of Jhalakathi Jail, said he received Rasel with a medical certificate on March 30 noon and arranged his treatment as the boy fell ill in the jail.
“I found a lot of torture marks on Rasel's body, especially on legs and hands. I have given him proper treatment and his condition is improving,” Said HM Jahirul Jslam, surgeon of Jhalakathi Jail (additional duty).
Contacted, Mahabuba Aktar just said, "Everything of the case is known to the OC."
OC Nazrul of Rajapur police station said, "We arrested Rasel for teasing a college girl and presented him before the mobile court."
Masud Gazi said that he brought the boy to the police station after an allegation of the girl's family.
"Informed, high officials of police on March 29 night investigated the incident at Rajapur police station and found truth in the allegation of torture on Rasel there," said ASP (Circle) AFM Anwar Hossen Khan.
He also visited the houses of Rasel, Selina and Murad Gazi yesterday.
"I talked with dozens of people who claimed Rasel's innocence. Torture on an innocent boy is heinous crime and gross violation of human rights. I will submit an investigation report to the police superintendent by one or two days” the ASP said.
“Seeing newspaper reports on the alleged torture on Rasel, I have formed a three-member enquiry committee that will submit report after investigation,” said SP Md Majid Ali.
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