Killing Of Dr Rakib: Khulna OC closed over negligence in duty

The officer-in-charge of Khulna Sadar Police Station was closed yesterday for negligence of duty over the murder of Dr Abdur Rakib Khan, who was beaten to death by the relatives of a patient.

Following an order of the Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) commissioner, OC Aslam Bahar Bulbul was closed and attached to the district police lines, confirmed KMP spokesperson and Additional Deputy Police Commissioner Sheikh Moniruzzaman Mithue.

Bulbul was an inspector (investigation) of that police station. However, as there was no OC, he used to hold the post, he added. The official said Bulbul was closed as the initial allegations against him were found true.

Dr Rakib, director of Raisa Clinic and Diagnostic Centre in Khulna and principal of Bagerhat Medical Assistants' Training School, was assaulted by a patient's family members on June 15 over the allegation of wrong treatment which led to her death. The 59-year-old physician passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital the next day.

The incident triggered protests across the country. Doctors in Khulna called for an indefinite strike and demanded the arrest of the accused and withdrawal of the OC.

They said the OC did not accept the case immediately from Dr Rakib's family, and recorded the case 18 hours after the doctor's death. Besides, there is a police box just 30 feet away from the clinic where Dr Rakib was beaten mercilessly, but no one came to save him, they said.

Dr Sheikh Baharul Alam, president of Bangladesh Medical Association in Khulna and central vice-President of the organisation, said they have withdrew their strike as their demands have been met.

So far, police have arrested five persons, including the main accused, in the murder case while one of the arrestees gave a confessional statement on June 18 under section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code.