Please - Odhikar

Death of a young person in prison in Narayanganj
On May 27, 2005 a report titled "Jubaleague Leader's death in Rupganj Police Custody" was
published in most of the national dailies. Based on that report, Odhikar sent a fact-finding team
to collect information about the incident. During fact-finding, Odhikar talked to the victim's
family, the villagers, officials of the police station and concerned prison officials.
During the period of fact-finding Odhikar came to know that Akter Hossen (35) was the third
son of late Motaleb Mia of Bolaikha village in Rupganj police station under Narayanganj
district. He was a small trader and had a shop in Vhulta market.
On 17 May 2005 police of Vulta camp arrested Akter under a theft case from his own home and
sent him to Rupganj police station. The next day he was produced before the Court and from
there taken to Prison.
He was admitted to the Narayanganj Sadar Hospital on May 24, as he fell sick in Prison. For his
deteriorating physical condition, he was shifted to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital on that
day. He expired there on the same day at 6.15 pm.
Sultana Rizia (32) the younger sister of Akter, informed Odhikar that on May 16 police came to
arrest Akter and returned as Akter was not available at home. The next day in the early evening
ASI of Vulta police line, Mohsin, in civil dress with some other police surrounded their home.
She was inside the house and on hearing the news of the arrest of her brother she came out.
There she found that police had tied Akter by a gamcha (a kind of woven towel). When she
wanted to know why he had been arrested and whether they had an arrest warrant along with
them, police officials behaved rudely with her. Akter informed her that the police had taken Tk
4000 (Four thousand taka) and his mobile phone. She took the mobile phone from the police
officer but they did not give back the money they snatched from Akter. Before leaving police
also told her to bring Tk 5000 and meet them in the police station.
Ruhul Amin (25) the younger brother of Akter told Odhikar that at 10.30 am, with some of his
friends, they went to the police station to see his brother. He was then informed that Akter had
been taken to Court.The Munshi of that police station told him that on February 04, 2005 an
incident of robbery took place in Rozia Memorial Hospital and Akter had been arrested as an
accused of that case.
Rabiul (12) another younger brother of Akter informed Odhikar that on May 19 he went with
one of his friend to the Narayanganj District Jail to see his brother. He bougth a tk 20 ticket and
waited all day in vain.
Akter Hossen's wife Helana Akter told Odhikar that on May 20 at around 1.30 am she woke up
by the hue and cry in the house and came to know that her husband had expired in Dhaka
Medical College Hospital. Police of the Vulta police camp sent this message to her husband's
older brother Waliullah who was a Organizing Secretary of Vulta Union Parisad. Helana further
informed Odhikar that at the time of arrest, her husband was physically sound and normal.
However, she did admit that he was an alcoholic and drug addict and had been treated twice.
Anwar Hossain (32) cousin of Akter told to Odhikar that on May 25 Akther's father-in-law and
his son and others went to Dhaka Medical College Hospital to receive the corpse. They found
Report 2005
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