Patuakhali's Baufal OC takes selfie with accused at function; claims he did not know them

The officer-in-charge of Baufal Police Station in Patuakhali has come under criticism after he took selfies with some of the accused in a vandalism case filed under the Speedy Trial Act during a programme inside the police station last night.

The Baufal Police Station arranged a discussion and cultural function in its premises last night to mark the historic March 7, sources at the police station said.

During the function, OC Mostafizur Rahman took selfies and photos with around five accused in the case, our Patuakhali correspondent reports, quoting locals.

The five are also accused in several other cases, but have been given bail over those, except for the one under the Speedy Trial Act.

Contacted, Baufal OC Mostafizur Rahman told our correspondent that people from different walks of life attended the function. "Many have taken pictures and selfies with me. I did not know the accused," he said.

The matter had come to limelight when the accused -- Fayez Biswas, Mamun Hawlader, Kabir Mridha, Hasan Dafadar and Alauddin -- posted the photos on their Facebook accounts.

Talking to our correspondent, plaintiff of the case Mizan Mridha alleged that none of the accused had sought bail from the court but were freely roaming the area and threatening him to drop the case.

Mizan said he was scared and apprehensive as the OC took selfies and photos with the accused.

On February 18, Mizan, a businessman, had filed a complaint against a group of 18-20 men, including those who appeared in photos with the OC, with the Patuakhali court under the Speedy Trial Act for allegedly vandalising and looting his house on February 13. The court had directed the Baufal OC to take the complaint as a case.