HC summons Shariatpur Chief Judicial Magistrate, two police officials
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The High Court on Tuesday summoned the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Shariatpur as the judge sent an accused to jail despite having a High Court bail order.
It also summoned the Shariatpur Additional Superintendent of Police (Naria Circle) Russell Monir and the recently withdrawn Padma Bridge South Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sheikh Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman to explain the allegations of torturing the accused of a robbery case.
They have been asked to appear before the court on July 16 to explain themselves.
The High Court bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Aminul Islam passed the order after hearing a petition filed by an accused, who also became a victim of the torturing, in the case.
The High Court bench also sought explanations from the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and Superintendent of Police of Shariatpur regarding the issue.
Lawyer Mohammad Mujibur Rahman appeared in the court hearing on behalf of the accused petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Md Sarwar Hossain Bappy represented the state.
On May 23, a robbery case was registered at Padma Bridge South Police Station under the Speedy Trial Act. Nine people including Saddam Chokdar, Bakul Chokdar of Naodoba area of Zajira upazila of Shariatpur were accused in the case.
On May 29, Saddam, Bakul, Saidul secured six-week anticipatory bail from the High Court in the case. After coming out on bail, on the night of May 30, they went to the residence of Alamgir Chokdar, a friend of Saddam in Keraniganj, Dhaka, with Anwar, another accused in this case.
That night after getting the information, Additional Superintendent of Police Russell Monir and OC Mostafizur Rahman, Jazira Upazila Chhatra League President Rubel Bepari and 10-12 policemen appeared at that house.
Police then arrested them and tortured them. Law enforcers also picked up Abu Jafor, a businessman of Zajira upazila and also a relative of the accused, on that night. Additional Superintendent of Police Russell Monir and OC Mostafizur pressured him to pay Tk 7.2 million (72 lakh) on behalf of four relatives. In return, two shops in Naodoba market owned by those relatives were proposed to be registered in his name.
The two police officers tortured him for not agreeing to this. He was kept blindfolded in the OC's cell and beaten for two hours. At one point, he was released in the early morning when he agreed to write a cheque for Tk 7.2 million.
They were later produced before the Chief Judicial Court on June 1. The Chief Judicial Magistrate sent them to jail despite having a High Court bail order in favour of the accused. However, they got bail on June 4 following their prayer.