Nearly 92pc survey respondents seek 'custody interrogation' system reforms

Nearly 92 per cent respondents of an opinion poll carried out by the Police Reform Commission (PRC) have sought reforms of the interrogation in police custody, criticising the existing practice of torture during grilling that often lead to suspects deaths.

The opinion came as the survey was conducted among 24,442 randomly selected people under a study headlined “What kind of police do we want” (kemon police chai).

Ninety-one point seven respondents replied positively, while only 8.3 per cent said “no” on the question on interrogation in police custody.

The question posed in the questionnaire was, in view of allegations of torture and human rights violations during interrogations of accused on remand under Section 167 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898, whether the respondents want reforms of the concerned law.

In a supplementary question, PRC wanted suggestions from the respondents wanting the reform and received four major suggestions, with the most proposing the interrogation room be surrounded by transparent glasses at every police station.

They said the glass room would make people concerned to see from outside if police were using physical force during the grilling process.

The respondents also called for amending the remand-related law in line with a High Court directive.

The survey participants also recommended interrogation of women accused with decency in the presence of female police.

The PRC made public the survey findings, saying it agreed with the respondents opinions and it was crucial to take into account the opinions and suggestions.

The public survey was carried out in the wake of recent criticism in Bangladesh and around the world about the violent role of some police personnel in suppressing the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

The interim government formed the 'Police Reform Commission' to reform the police force.

Asked how allegations of human rights violations and police’s power misuse should be investigated, 60 per of respondents suggested the formation of a complete investigation commission to pursue such matters.

Twenty per cent people suggested the formation of a permanent investigation commission led by a retired High Court judge, and 20 percent wanted such matters be reviewed by the National Human Rights Commission by amending the relevant law.

“Some 89.5 per cent of people opined that using police force for political purposes must be stopped, and 77.9 percent want police not to indulge in corruption by misusing power,” the survey report said.

Some 75 per of respondents demanded that police must be brought under accountability for rights violations and incidents like enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

The country needs a law-abiding, corruption and political influence-free, independent police to maintain law and order equally for the people irrespective of their identity, the survey said.

The survey report is now available on the Police Reform Commission website (www.prc.mhapsd.gov.bd), said a press release of the home ministry.