Torture in custody: HC asks IGP to transfer Baufal ASP
The High Court today directed the inspector general of police (IGP) to immediately transfer assistant superintendent of police (ASP) of Patuakhali’s Baufal Circle for allegedly torturing an accused in the local police station.
During hearing a writ petition, the court asked the authorities concerned of the government to provide with security to the family members of the accused -- Hafizur Rahman Bijoy.
The HC exempted ASP Saiful Islam and officer-in-charge (OC) of Baufal Police Station Azam Khan Faruki from personal appearance before it after they offered unconditional apology for their role in connection with the incident.
ASP Saiful and OC Azam appeared before the bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Mohammad Ullah today as per its earlier order and offered the apology to the court.
The bench fixed March 19 for further hearing on the petition, petitioner’s lawyer Advocate Faruk Hossain told The Daily Star.
Following the writ petition filed by Hafizur’s mother Josna Begum, the HC on February 20 issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain as to why the alleged incident of torture on Hafizur on February 12 should not be declared illegal and why they should not be ordered to compensate the tortured victim.
In the rule, the court also asked the authorities to show causes why appropriate legal action will not be taken against the police personnel who were involved in the incident.
At the same time, the HC summoned ASP Saiful and OC Azam, directing them to appear before it on today [February 27] to explain their conduct over the torture incident.
Also read: HC asks Baufal ASP, OC to appear Feb 27
Josna Begum submitted the writ petition to the HC annexing a report published on the daily Janakantha on February 14 over the incident of police torture.
According to the report, the sub-inspector Ferdaus arrested Hafizur and brought him to the custody of Baufal Police Station on February 12 evening.
At midnight, Hafizur was brought to the office room of the OC and beaten with sticks, the report said, adding that OC Azam was not in the office at that time.
OC Azam told the newspaper that ASP Saiful interrogated Hafizur at his (OC) office room but did not torture him.