Lawyer sues 5 cops over detention, assault

A Chattogram lawyer yesterday filed a case against five police personnel of Patiya Police Station for allegedly detaining and assaulting him on September 17.

Advocate Rigan Acharjya filed the case with the court of Chattogram District and Sessions Judge Md Ismail Hossain, accusing two sub-inspectors, two assistant SIs and a constable, said advocate Selim Chowdhury, who filed the case on his behalf.

The accused are SI Saju Mia, SI Khorshed, ASI Basir, ASI Masum and constable Humayun.

“After taking the case into cognisance, the court ordered Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate into the case. The court also said the investigation should be carried out by an ACC official with the rank of an inspector,” said advocate Selim.

According to the case statement, Rigan was picked up by the abovementioned police personnel from Dhalghat Camp area of Patiya on September 17 while returning from his in-laws' house.

“Rigan informed them he was a lawyer but the law enforcers assaulted him. They took away his money and demanded Tk 1 lakh bribe for his release,” he said.

“After getting pressure from Chattogram Bar Association's leaders, the policemen took Rigan's signature on a blank paper while pointing a gun at his head and released him,” said advocate Selim, quoting him.

Rigan brought charges against the police personnel for misusing power, illegal detention, demanding bribe and assaulting him, he said.

When asked, Neyamatullah, officer-in-charge of the police station, refuted the allegations. “Rigan was found lying on the road in a drunken state around 3:00am. The police personnel took him to the upazila health complex first, and later to the police station to keep an eye on him,” he added.

He said one of the SIs received a call from the Bar Association for Rigan's release, but they decided to keep him at the station, considering his condition.

“When I came to work the next day, the five informed me about the situation. Rigan was released around noon,” the OC said.