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A university lecturer accused of mutilating the genitals of her “husband" has died after allegedly consuming poison while in police custody at Dhaka’s Vatara Police Station.
The woman, Firoza Ashravee, served as a lecturer in global studies and governance at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).
The injured man, Ismail Sujan, was also a lecturer at the same university, in the Department of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Police said Firoza identified Ismail as her husband during questioning, but Sujan’s family denied the claim, bdnews24.com reports.
The IUB has formed a probe committee to investigate the matter, according to its Media and Public Relations Division.
Three police member from the police station have been suspended over “negligence of duty” in connection with the custodial death, Assistant Commissioner HM Shafiqul Rahman of Badda Zone said on Saturday.
The affected pesonnel are Sub-Inspector Jamal Hossain, and Constables Sharmin and Nasima, both idenfied with single names.
According to Vatara Police Station chief (OC) Rakibul Hasan, the incident took place around 3:30 am on Thursday at Ismail’s flat in Pallabi. Firoza lived in the Bashundhara residential area.
“While Ismail was asleep, Firoza severed his genitals. She then took him to Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara for treatment.
“Later in the afternoon, a dispute broke out between her and Ismail’s relatives at the hospital,” the OC added.
Around 4:00 pm on Thursday, Firoza dialled 999 and claimed she was being held against her will.
OC Rakibul said, “A Vatara police team went to the hospital, rescued her, and brought her to the station.
“At that time, Pallabi police informed us that a case had been filed against her over the genital mutilation,” he added.
Vatara police kept her in their custody while communicating with Pallabi police, who requested she remain at Vatara temporarily.
Police say Firoza “consumed poison” while in custody and later died while receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday evening.
Sub-Inspector Md Arif, who brought Firoza to the police station from the hospital, said: “When we arrived at Evercare Hospital, there was a heated exchange between the two sides.
“Ismail’s relatives demanded she not be released. Following instructions from senior officials, we brought her to the station and placed her beside the duty officer under female police surveillance.”
While in custody, Firoza attempted to contact lawyers for legal assistance.
Later, two transgender people, identifying themselves as legal aid volunteers, arrived at the station.
Firoza gave them her house keys and asked them to bring her mobile phone charger and inhaler from her residence in Bashundhara.
The transgender visitors later returned with a packet containing the charger, inhaler, and a bottle.
Upon receiving the items, Firoza began drinking from the bottle. A female constable attempted to stop her, leading to a physical struggle.
As the smell from the bottle raised suspicion, officers checked and found a label indicating it was a pesticide.
Firoza was immediately taken to Kurmitola General Hospital for stomach pumping, and later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 10:00 pm.
She died there the next evening, according to SI Arif.
Assistant Commissioner Shafiqul said since a case was filed at Pallabi Police Station, Firoza was officially handed over to their custody while undergoing treatment.
A separate case over attempted suicide has been filed at Vatara Police Station.
Two transgender individuals, identified with single names Shobha and Kona, have been arrested in the suicide attempt case and sent to jail via court order.
According to police, Firoza had purchased the poison through a courier service. They have already collected the documents from the courier company.
Pallabi Police Station chief Nazrul Islam said Ismail is currently being treated at Evercare Hospital.
“Before her death, Firoza claimed she was married to Ismail. But his family has rejected this. Police are looking into all aspects,” he added.