ASK concerned over 'vigilante' killings of two rape suspects

Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) yesterday expressed concern over the recent recovery of bullet-hit bodies of two accused in rape cases along with notes -- citing their identities and the rape incidents -- found beside them.

In a statement, the rights group called for reviewing the incidents immediately and strengthening lawful punishment process for any offense.

Police recovered the bullet-hit body of Ripon, a main accused in a case for rapping a girl, in Ashulia outside the capital on January 17, ASK said citing media reports.

A piece of paper citing Ripon's identity and rape incident was tied to his throat, it said.

His family claimed some men in plainclothes identifying themselves as detectives picked him up. However, Detective Branch of Police has denied the claim.

In a separate incident on Saturday, a bullet-hit body of an accused in a rape case was recovered in Kathalia of Jhalakathi. A similar note was strung to the corpse's throat.

ASK is concerned over two similar incidents taking place within the span of a short time, the statement said.

“ASK thinks fair investigation into both the incidents is required that will unearth the truth,” it said.

According to the country's constitution and basic principles of human rights, any individual has the right to get justice in lawful way, ASK said.

“Such extra-judicial killing sends wrong message to the society. It also creates distrust in people's mind over rule of law, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary and above all the state which is not good for the state at all,” it said.