Inspector sued over Barguna custodial death

A case has been filed against Manoranjan Mistry, suspended inspector (investigation) of Amtali Police Station in Barguna, over the death of a detainee at the police station on March 27.

He was made the lone accused in the case filed under the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act-2013 on Wednesday night, said Md Shah Alam, officer-in-charge of the police station.

Shanu Hawlader, a 55-year-old farmer, was found hanging from the ceiling fan of Manoranjan's room at the police station on March 27, three days after he was detained.

Following his death, Amtali OC Abul Bashar was withdrawn and attached to Barguna Police Lines. Two other cops, including Manoranjan, were suspended on the same day for allegedly torturing Shanu to death.

Shanu's family said police detained him on March 23 night from his home in Kalagachia village of Amtali upazila on suspicion of his involvement in a murder last year.

They said Shanu was not accused in the murder case.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Shanu's wife Jharna Begum and son Shakib Hossain alleged that police demanded Tk 3 lakh for his release.

As they failed arrange the money, police tortured Shanu to death, they complained.

"When I wanted to see my father at the police station, the OC asked me to bring the money first," Shakib said.

OC Bashar, however, denied the allegation of demanding money.

Harunur Rashid, OC of the Detective Brach of Barguna police, has been made the investigation officer of the case, filed by Ishraque Hassan, a relative of Shanu.

Contacted, Harunur yesterday said he would launch the investigation after receiving the letter of his appointment as the IO.