Youth arrested by Rab dies at DMCH

A youth allegedly tortured in Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) custody on February 20 died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) last night.

Rab arrested Delwar Hossain, 20, owner of a phone-fax shop at Mograpra under Sonargaon Police Station of Narayanganj district, on February 2o, his elder brother Bazlur Rashid told reporters.

"They (Rab) took my brother to their Adamjee camp and beat him severely," he said, adding, "As he became unconscious, they admitted him to DMCH the same night."

Delwar had no criminal records, he said.

Morgue sources said there were marks of bruises on Delwar's head, back and legs. Police performed the inquest report in the presence of a magistrate yesterday.

Delwar was admitted to the hospital by Rab men, DMCH sources said.

Sonargaon police told the Daily Star last night that Rab men handed Delwar over to them at the DMCH.

A Rab official, however, denied the allegation of torture and said, "We held Delwar when he was extorting in the area and handed him over to the local police immediately."