Bangladesh Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission, Hong Kong
Story 1: Human rights defender, Mr. Adilur Rahman Khan arbitrarily detained
Victim:
Mr. Adilur Rahman Khan, Supreme Court lawyer, human rights defender, Secretary of Odhikar, and former Deputy Attorney General for Bangladesh, currently residing at House no-35, Road no-117, Gulshan, Dhaka – 1212.
Alleged perpetrators:
Officers of the Detective Branch, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, 36
Minto Road, Dhaka, Bangladesh, namely Mr. Masudur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (Intelligence) and Mr. Abu Yusuf, Assistant Commissioner.
Date of incident: 10 August 2013 at 10:20 p.m.
Place of incident: Compound of Mr. Adilur Rahman Khan’s residence in Gulshan, Dhaka.
AHRC-UAC-104-2013; AHRC-FOL-009-2013; AHRC- STM-142-2013; AHRC-STM-144-2013; AHRC-STM-166-2013; AHRC-STM-180-2013; AHRC-STM-184-2013; AHRC- STM-074-2014; AHRC-FPR-012-2014
On 10 August 2013, members of the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police forced their way into the residential compound of Mr. Adilur Rahman Khan and took him into custody without explanation or warrant. On August 11, the police refused filing a case against the victim. An officer claimed that Adilur “has distorted facts about Hefazat-e-Islam and distorted photographs using Photoshop…” as justification for his arrest. The remand hearing was held in the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court of Dhaka. Adilur’s lawyers were not provided any documents related to the charges against their client. Adilur was detained for 62 days in prison. He was subsequently released on bail – granted by a High Court Division Bench of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh – in the wake of continuous pressure from the international community.
The Government established a special court, a Cyber Crimes Tribunal, in Dhaka, to prosecute Adilur. He was put on trial for the alleged crime of violating the Information and Communications Technology Act, 2006. The police and so-called “cyber experts” chosen by the government are the only witnesses proposed by the prosecution in the Cyber Crimes Tribunal. The judge of the Tribunal, Mr. A.K.M Shamsul Alam, consistently refused to provide certified copies of his order to Adilur’s lawyers. The judge was absent from his office without good reason whenever the lawyers’ applications for certified copies were supposed to be entertained.
A High Court Division Bench, following Adilur’s writ petition, stayed the trial at the Cyber Crimes Tribunal. Subsequently, however, the Attorney General’s Office challenged the stay order of the High Court before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. The trial is likely to resume following the Supreme Court’s order.
Apart from harassing Adilur Rahman Khan, the government is also harassing his family, and the staff and volunteer human rights defenders linked to his organization Odhikar. Mr. A.S.M. Nasiruddin Elan, Odhikar’s Director was also detained in prison for the same reason as Adilur. Both Adilur and Elan had to approach the High Court Division to secure bail. Prison officials did not release them when they received the High Court’s order; instead, they stalled the release on the instruction of the Attorney General’s Office. Family members, staff, and human rights defenders linked to Adilur and Odhikar still face constant surveillance by the intelligence agencies and policemen in civilian clothes.
Odhikar’s bank accounts related to its current projects have been frozen by the banks following instructions from the Bangladesh Bank, the state bank of the country. As a result, the organisation is unable to carry out its work and pay staff salaries. The government has engaged the NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB), a wing under the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate Odhikar’s alleged financial irregularities. Since August 2013, the ACC, via phone calls, has asked Odhikar to send its audit reports to their office insisting that they are “just checking”. In January 2014, Adilur found that in July 2013 the ACC had filed a money-laundering case against him and his colleague Elan. Virtually every week persons either from the NGOAB, the ACC, or from the law-enforcement agencies visit the Odhikar office.
Suspicious individuals in civilian clothes, with private vehicle or motorbikes, have been seen loitering in front of the main gate of the building where Odhikar’s office and Adilur’s residence are situated. The security guards of the building, car drivers for Adilur’s family, domestic helpers, and visitors to the office remain under constant surveillance. These suspicious men insisted that the visitors, guards, drivers, and helpers share their personal cell phone numbers and provide information on the whereabouts of Adilur from time to time.
The NGOAB had previously approved Odhikar’s projects; the required submissions, such as audit reports, were made in a timely manner. Now, the NGOAB acts as if it intends to shut the organization and wipe out its rights activism. The NGOAB officials often call staff members of Odhikar on the phone, asking the latter sending bills, vouchers, and audit reports. However, the NGOAB is careful not to send official letters for with such demands. They have often asked Adilur and Elan over phone to appear instantly before the NGOAB for “cooperating” with them.
A statutory institution like the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has also been acting as a government instrument mandated to persecute critics of the government regarding human rights abuse. Like the NGOAB, its officials have called Adilur and Elan on the phone, asking them to visit the ACC office, immediately, for “cooperation”. Once Adilur and Elan showed up, they found the ACC had called a number of pro-government private TV channels for a live broadcast related to an alleged money laundering case against the two human rights defenders, who did not have any prior knowledge about such a case. On 21 January 2014, the ACC officials insisted Adilur and Elan to sign on papers, which appeared to be “statements being recorded under Section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure”.
Being a professional lawyer Adilur refused to sign any document without checking the details. While arguing with the ACC officials, Adilur eventually saw a paper containing information of a case (No. 58) filed in July 2013, accusing him and his colleague Elan for an alleged money laundering. The ACC did not inform these defendants, orally or in writing, about such a case. Moreover, they called the TV channels beforehand to broadcast live details related to the case against Adilur and Elan. Thus, in absence of an independent media, the pro-government private TV channels, newspapers, and online news portals have published untrue reports on Adilur. It is understandable that the ACC, which has been acting as a government tool and facilitating the process of Adilur’s character assassination through media, may instigate prosecution against Adilur and Elan at any time.
Story 2: Abduction and stabbing of an activist who exposed illegal sand mining
Victim:
1. Mr. Shahed K ayes, executive director of Subornogram
Foundation, based in Sonargaon in Narayanganj district. He is a human rights defender and poet.
2. Mr. Kamruzzaman Dipu, a volunteer at Subornogram Foundation.
3. A citizen of the United States working as a Peace Fellow at Subornogram Foundation in Bangladesh.
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Subid Ali Bhuyan, a parliamentarian of Comilla district, who is a retired Major General of the Bangladesh Army
2. Ms. Selina Islam, owner of Four Point Trading & ConstructionLtd.
3. Mr. Zakir Hossain, owner of Jalal Enterprise, resident ofSonakanda of Meghna in Comilla district.
4. Mr. Md. Mohsin, a person associated with the Four Point Trading & onstruction Ltd., owned by Selina Islam.
5. Mr. Osman Gani, son of late Amir Ali, president of Bangladesh Awami League of its Ward No. 6 Unit of Baradi Union Parishad, ex member of Baradi Union Parishad, Nunertek, Baradi, Sonargaon, Narayanganj.
6. Mr. Zakir Hossain Zakaria, son of Mr. Sadar Ali (former member of Union Parishad), Nunertek, Baradi, Sonargaon, Narayanganj.
7. Mr. Hossain Mian, son of late Mongol Ali, resident of Nunertek (Chuadanga) of Sonargaon, Narayanganj.
Date of incident: 25 July 2013 at at 2:15 pm Place of incident: Meghna River near Baiyder Bazaar under the jurisdiction of the Sonargaon police station in Narayanganj district and Farazi Kandi under the jurisdiction of Meghna police station in Comilla district. AHRC-UAU-022-2013; AHRC-STM-139-2013; AHRC- STM-138-2013; AHRC-UAU-033-2012; AHRC-UAC-033-2012; AHRC-HAG-003-2011
On 25 July 2013, Mr. Shahed Kayes and two others were on a boat on the Meghna River when they were intercepted by 6 unknown people in 2 speedboats. Shahed Kayes allegedly agreed to join the strangers if they allowed his friends to stay on their boat.
The perpetrators then took the victim to an island in a different river where they were joined by others. This group then began to beat Shahed with sticks as well as stab and slash at him with a knife. During this attack, the victim believes he heard the attackers accuse him of causing them financial loss with his activism and promised that they would kill him. The victim was also able to identify some of the attackers as members of a company he was targeting for illegal sand mining.
The victims’ friends convinced the local police to intervene and save Shahed, but they did not apprehend the perpetrators. Shahed was then admitted to a local hospital for treatment of numerous blunt traumas as well as knife wounds to his shoulder, neck, and wrist.
The victim filed an FIR report, naming the perpetrators he was able to identify. Police later were able to make a single arrest.
Story 3: Man dies in police custody after court ignored him being tortured
Victim: Mr. Rizvi Hassan, 26, married with two children, of Alambari village, Roshangiri Post Office, Fatikchhari upazila, Chittagong. Alleged perpetrators:
1. Shariful Islam, Sub Inspector of Police, Hat Hazari police station
2. Sub Inspector Anis
3. Mithun Barua, Sub Inspector of Police
4. Manzur Kader Mazumder, Inspector of Police and Officer-in- Charge (Investigation) All are attached Fatikchhari police station of Chittagong district
5. Mr. A F M Nizam Uddin, Assistant Superintendent of Police
(ASP), Hat Hazari Zone, Chittagong Date of incident: 26 March
– 17 April 2013 Place of incident: Hat Hajari Police Station of
Chittagong district
AHRC-UAC-100-2013
On 26 March 2013, Rizvi Hassan was arrested by some policemen. During the following ten days he was detained and intermittently tortured at various locations. The torture included injections with unknown chemicals, beatings, electrical shocks, and simulated drowning with spiced water among other acts. During this time the police also attempted to get the victim to produce fire arms for them, and they forced him to sign several documents and pieces of paper without explaining their purpose.
On April 5, the police brought him to court and asked for 20 days remand on two charges, the court granted seven days, and the detention and the torture continued for another week.
On April 12, the police again produced the victim in court, claiming to have found weapons in his possession, and asked for an additional ten days remand. The victim, on suggestion of his attorney, informed the court that the police were torturing him and revealed the injuries so caused. The court allowed the police three more days remand; however the police kept the victim for another five days and continued to torture him.
On April 17, the police again produced the victim in court, claiming he was involved in a robbery and asked for an additional five days of remand. The court granted one day of remand. This time the victim was held in a different police station and was not tortured. However, his health had declined to the point where he needed medical treatment that the prison was unable to provide.
On 26 June 2013, the victim’s brother, Mr. Nazim Uddin, demanded that Rizvi be immediately released and the fabricated cases against him be dropped.
Story 4: Police tortures a businessman to death for failing to pay bribe
Victim: Mr. Shamim Reza, 26, son of Mr. Alauddin Mian, businessman by profession, of Protaper Chor village, under the jurisdiction of Sonargaon police station in Narayanganj district. Alleged perpetrators:
1. Atiqur Rahman Khan, Inspector of Police & Officer-in-Charge
(Administration), departmental proceedings
2. Arup Torofdar, Inspector of Police, withdrawn to Police
Headquarters
3. Poltu Ghosh, Sub Inspector of Police, withdrawn to District police line
4. Uttam Prashad Basak, Assistant Superintendent of Police
(Circle-B), attached to Narayanganj District.
Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are attached to Sonargaon Police Station of
Narayanganj district.
Police Office, stationed in Sonargaon, and punishment transfer
ordered
Date of incident: 14 May – 22 May 2013
Place of incident: House of Police Inspector Atiqur Rahman Khan, adjacent to Sonargaon Police Station
AHRC-UAC-097-2013
On 14 May 2013, policemen attached to Sonargaon police arrested Mr. Shamim Reza without a warrant after they raided and ransacked his house. He was detained for several days. When his brother saw him on May 17, Shamim appeared to be severely injured and was unable to move. He was certain that the police intended to beat him to death for failing to pay a bribe demanded from him by Atiqur Rahman Khan, Inspector of Police and the Officer-in-Charge.
On May 20, Shamim, after agreeing to confess to an unrelated murder, was taken to court which subsequently ordered him to be admitted for medical treatment. In spite of this he died on May 22.
On May 23, the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Narayanganj district formed a three-member probe committee to investigate, but the family complained that two of the committee members were involved in the incident and therefore biased and held a protest regarding the issue. After protests began to cause traffic problems, the Inspector General of the Bangladesh Police formed another probe committee on May 24. The resulting report was not made public, though media sources determined it did recommend initiating departmental proceedings against several members of the police that were involved.
On May 28, the victim’s father filed a writ petition with a Division Bench of the High Court seeking arrest of the alleged perpetrators, but that bench refused to hear the petition.
But on June 13, the victim’s widow filed a similar petition and The Magistrate of the Court ordered that the complaint be taken into cognizance and that an investigation report be submitted along with the report regarding the Unnatural Death complaint registered with the Shahbagh police station of the city of Dhaka before 31 July 2013.
Story 5 : Families of victims killed by RAB officers threatened for filing complaint
Victims:
1. Mr. Korban Ali, an electrician, 25, son of Mr. Lokman Hossain, of Mutubi village of Sonaimuri upazila under Noakhali district
2. Amena Akhtar, 13, of Mutubi village of Sonaimuri
3. Saddam Hossain, 20, of Mutubi village of Sonaimur
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mohammad Jashim Uddin, Deputy Assistant Director (DAD)
2. Corporal (Cpl) Mohammad Ansar Uddin
3. Cpl Mohammad Belal Hossain
4. Sree Chondron Kumar Chowdhury, Assistant Sub Inspector
(ASI)
5. Mohammad Kamal Hossain, ASI
6. Mohammad Mostafa Kamal, ASI
7. Nur Mohammad Sardar, Habilder
8. Mohammad Ansar Uddin, Nayek
9. Mohammad Mohosin Ali, Police Constable of Rapid Action
Battalion (RAB)-11
All are attached to RAB -11
10.Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Chittagong Range of the
Bangladesh Police
Date of incident: 1 March 2013 Place of incident: Mutubi village of
Sonaimuri upazila under Noakhali district
AHRC-UAC-086-2013
On 1 March 2013, members of a local community attacked a RAB van by pelting it with throwing. The RAB officers retaliated by firing at the attackers as they left a mosque near Sonaimuri a short time later. During the attack, Mr. Korban Ali was shot in the head and died instantly. The RAB officers took his body with them as they left.
On 2 March 2013, the RAB filed their report of the incident, which included a claim that the attack on their vehicle had included gunfire. The report, however, contained numerous inconsistencies regarding the timing of the event and the fatal injuries Mr. Korban Ali had suffered.
On 10 March 2013, the victim’s father, Lokman Hossain, filed a complaint with the Noakhali Judicial Magistrate’s Court against ten different law enforcement offices. This procedure was used presumably because the police would refuse filing a complaint themselves.
The magistrate then asked the Officer in Charge (OC) of Sonaimuri Police Station to submit an inquiry report to the Court, instead of ordering the police to register the petition as a First Information Report (FIR). The police have not yet submitted its inquiry report to the Court.
The family of the victim subsequently received numerous threats both in person and by phone from individuals employed by the state.
Story 6: Police forced two women whom they tortured to recant their testimonies in front of a judge
Victims:
1. Ms. Sumaya Sultana Seema, 18, student of Intermediate First Year at Dr. Abul Hossain College at Pangsha of Rajbari district, daughter of late Mr. Abdus Salam Mollah and Mrs. Aleya Akhter
2. Mrs. Aleya Akhter, 50, widow of late Mr. Abdus Salam Mollah, and mother of Ms. Sumaya Sultana Seema
3. Mr. Arif Hossain, 14, son of of Mrs. Aleya Akhter
4. Mrs. Runa Akhter, 25, daughter of Mrs. Aleya Akhter
Three of them are residents of a rented house at Beradanga village under the jurisdiction of Sadar police station in Rajbari district, from Baroipara village under the jurisdiction of Khoksha Police Station of Kushtia district. Runa Akhter lives in Goalanda under the jurisdiction of Rajbari district.
5. Ms. Piyari Khatun Priya, 21, cousin sister of Sumaya Sultana Seema, resident of Baroipara village under the jurisdiction of Khoksha Police Station of Kushtis district 6. Mrs. Mariam Begum,
70, mother of Mrs. Aleya Akhter, resident of Beradanga village under the jurisdiction of Sadar police station in Rajbari district
7. Mrs. Husneyara, 50, wife of Mr. Altaf Hossain Master, a resident of Taherpur village under the jurisdiction of Khoksha Police Station of Kushtia district
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Masud, Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) of Detective Branch of Police, Kushtia district
2. Mr. Harendra Nath, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Khoksha Police
Station, Kushtia
3. Mr. Md. Abdur Razzak, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kumarkhali
Police Station, Khushtia
4. Officers of the Detective Branch (DB) of Police in Kushtia district
since the incident of arbitrary detention
5. Mr. Md. Jainul Abedin, Additional Superintendent of Police of
Kushtia district
6. Mr. Mafiz Uddin, Superintendent of Police of Kushtia district
Date of incident: From 3am on 10 September 2012 to date
Place of incident: Police stations and offices of the police in Kushtia district
AHRC-UAC-027-2013
On 10 September 2012, 12 armed policemen from Khoksha came to the home of the victim looking for her 14-year-old son for his alleged involvement in a murder. When it became clear the son was not there, they asked the remaining family to come to the police station. The family refused and the officers began to take them into custody.
After being begged by one of the victim’s daughters, the police chose to only apprehend Mrs. Aleya and Seema. On the way to the police station, the officers sexually assaulted Seema.
For several days, the two women were beaten, suffered electric shocks; tortured by application of nails, boiling water, and green chili paste; and subjected to other forms of assault. Mrs. Aleya was also forced to do chores around the police station. Seema began to show signs of physical and mental stress, and attempted to hang herself.
On September 19 the two were released on bail. On September
26 they were cleared of the charge of suspicious behavior. However, the police immediately submitted a petition demanding the detention of the two women until the completion of the investigation of the murder which was granted. On October 1, a Division Bench of the High Court began proceedings intended to lead to action against the perpetrators.
On October 4, the court was to hear a writ petition filed on behalf of the victims but this was repeatedly delayed. When the bail petition was heard on October 14, the court refused to pass any order. In spite of repeated requests by the victims’ legal team, the court also refused to give an explanation for their position.
On October 31, victims Aleya and Seema were again released on bail after third parties threatened to investigate judicial corruption and intervention against court judges by several human rights groups. The victims claimed that they tried to register a case against the perpetrators, but that the police threatened their family and refused to register their case.
On November 23, the victims were abducted upon the orders of the Additional Superintendent of Police of the Special Branch of the police of Kushtia district. They were then presented to the Superintendent who again threatened them and their family.
On November 29, the victims were abducted again and brought to court by two officers in civilian dress where there were forced to recant their allegations in front of a judge who subsequently declared the case closed.
Story 7: Sick and starving elderly denied allowance, relief cards for failing to pay bribe
Victims:
1. Ms. Saimal Beowa, 76, village Talukghorabandha, post- Pabnapur of subdistrict Palashbari in district Gaibandha
2. Ms. Rokeya Beowa, 88, of village Ghorabandha, post Halimnagar
3. Ms. Khukhi Beowa, 75, of village Kisamot Gopalpur, Post- Badiakhali-5760 in Gaibandha Sadar sub- district, District- Gaibandha
Alleged Perpetrators:
Officials of the Union Health and Family Welfare Centre (UHFWC)
in Monohorpur and local Union Council members
Place of incident: Palasbari sub-district, Gaibandha district, Rangpur Division
AHRC-HAC-009-2013
From 29 April 2010 to 22 January 2013, all the victims were entitled to “elderly allowance” and some for “widow allowance.” However, these are denied to the victims without explanation (except in one case where the elderly woman’s age was recorded incorrectly). As a result, they had to beg for food.
They were not able to eat properly. Their health condition deteriorated compounded by their preexisting poor health. These women lived too far from public health institutions and could not even afford to pay transportation costs. These individuals believed they were denied of their allowances and relief cards because they failed to pay bribes due to their financial status. Others claim that they are unwilling to speak out on the matter because they fear they may be assaulted by corrupt officials.
On several occasions, Mr. Mofiz Uddin visited Union Council members and the Chairman in order to ask for relief. Despite being given the hope of receiving access to the social welfare programmes, Mofiz Uddin and his wife have not received any government assistance.
Another individual, Sakina Beowa, allegedly paid a bribe of
1000 BDT (approximately USD 15) to a Union Council member and the Chairman in hopes of receiving relief. However, she did not get either the relief card or her money back for almost a year and a half. She was eventually refunded 300 BDT (USD 5). She claims that it is impossible for a poor person like her to manage 3000 BDT (USD 44), which is believed to be the unofficial rate of bribe, to obtain a relief card.
Other victims are unable to beg due to illness and/or their deteriorating physical condition and have to rely on family and friends to collect resources on their behalf. Some have also had family members appeal to the Union Council members on their behalf. In spite of this, aid is still not forthcoming and the victims believe this is because they are unable to afford the appropriate bribes.
Story 8: To release an exfiltrated abductee the RAB demands
Victim:
Mr. Mohammad Imam Hassan, age 24, employed in a shutter and
grill-making factory at Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka. Also known as Badal, he is a resident of 250 Tejkunipara under the jurisdiction of Tejgaon Industrial Area Police Station, and originally hails from Dakkhin Rajnagar village, under the jurisdiction of Sadar Police Station, Panchagarh district.
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Raju, Sub Inspector, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-2, Sher- E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka
2. Mr. Mahbubur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge, Tejgaon Police
Station
3. Mr. Mohammad Zakir Hossain Mollah, former Officer-in-Charge, Sher-E-Bangla Nagar Police Station, currently Officer-in-Charge, Sadar Police Station, Gopalganj district
4. Mr. Mohammad Hossain, Deputy Commissioner, Tejgaon Zone, Dhaka Metropolitan Police
5. Mr. Saiful Islam Shanto, Superintendent of Police, Detective
Branch of the RAB
6. Mr. Ziaul Ahsan, Lieutenant Colonel, Bangladesh Army, seconded to the RAB, Director, Intelligence Wing, RAB Headquarters
7. Mr. Soleman, Member of RAB-2
8. Mr. Solaiman, Member of RAB-2
9. Mr. Fazlur Rahman, Additional Deputy Inspector General of
RAB-2, assigned for investigating the case of Imam Hassan
10. Mr. Iqbal Shafi, Assistant Superintendent of Police seconded to RAB-2 as its Assistant Director, acting in-charge of the investigation of Imam Hassan’s case
11. Officers of the RAB-2 since the incident of abduction
Date of incident: 5 March 2012 to the present
Place of incident: Offices of RAB-2 and police stations in Dhaka
Metropolitan City area
AHRC-UAC-190-2012
Mr. Mohammad Imam Hassan, also known as Badal, was abducted for ransom by a group of miscreants in Dhaka. His family, based in Panchagarh district in northern Bangladesh, called the RAB-2 in Dhaka requesting Badal’s rescue. The RAB rescued him from the miscreants, but refused to release him unless Badal’s family paid up a bribe of 100,000 taka. The officers succeeded in collecting a bribe of 40,000 taka from Badal’s parents, Ruhul Amin and Minara Khatun. The RAB officers arranged four meetings between the parents and Badal at the RAB-2 office in Dhaka, between 13 and 16 March 2012. The parents were warned that failure to pay up would result in their son’s death.
The family’s inability to pay the entire bribe resulted the disappearance of their son. The family was prevented from filing a complaint. Local authorities and government agents refused to help them, and the perpetrators have not been prosecuted.
On 12 November 2012, the victim’s father, Mr. Ruhul Amin and
Odhikar’s Director A.S.M. Nasiruddin Elan jointly filed a habeas corpus writ petition (No. 14880 of 2012) with the High Court Division seeking judicial initiative for the rescue of Badal. The Secretary of the Home Ministry, Director General of the RAB, and the Inspector General of the Bangladesh Police were among those named as respondents in the writ. The High Court Bench issued a Rule, returnable within a week, against the respondents asking them why the respondents should not be held responsible for Badal’s alleged disappearance. Mr. Amin also filed an application with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate the matter.
Since the High Court Rule, Ruhul Amin’s life became more complicated than ever. The authorities, under the guise of investigations, have harassed his family. Ruhul has been served notice by the local police of Panchagarh, instructing him to appear before a police officer of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Subsequently, he travelled 500 km at his own cost to testify in front of the police officer. The Ministry of Home Affairs also called him to the Ministry headquarters. Ruhul was instructed to bring all necessary evidence that would establish his claim about the disappearance of his son. When Ruhul went to the Home Ministry, dire threats were made warning him not to pursue his son’s disappearance.
Story 9: Police refused to register complaint of rape against a political leader
Victims:
1. Ms. X (name withheld), 25, of Nalkata village under the jurisdiction of Dighinala police station in Khagrachhari Hill district
2. Ms. XX (name withheld), young woman from a Hindu community, under the jurisdiction of Lama police station in Bandarban Hill district
3. Ms. XXX (name withheld), 14, of Longadu Punarbashan (repatriation) area under the jurisdiction of Rajasthali police station in Rangamati Hill district
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Md. Azhar, 28, son of Md. Gafur Ali, of North Milanpur village under the jurisdiction of Dighinala police station in Khagrachhari district
2. Mr. Didarul Islam, president of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal (youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP) of its Lama upazilla unit, living in (which) village under the jurisdiction of Lama police station in Bandarban district
3. Ariful Islam, son of Mr. Emdadul Haque, of Islampur village under the jurisdiction of Rajasthali police station in Rangamati Hill district
Date of incidents: 18 and 30 September and 2 October 2012 respectively
Places of incidents: Dighinala of Khagrachhari, Lama of Bandarban and Rajasthali of Rangamati Hill districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts
AHRC-UAC-187-2012
Two young women have been raped and one girl narrowly avoided an attempted rape due to her neighbours’ assistance in three separate jurisdictions of the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh.
The police have allegedly been biased against the non-ethnic settlers instead of working professionally to uphold the law and investigating the cases credibly. In one of the rape cases, the police did not register a formal complaint as the alleged perpetrator is an influential political leader in the area. The victim’s right to have a credible medical examination has also been denied by the police.
Story 10: Three persons faced detention in a fabricated case lodged by illegal-sand-miners
Victims:
1. Md. Jilani, 35, son of Md. Sundar Ali, of Chuadanga village, present member of the Nunertek-Mayadip of Baradi union parishad, faced detention for nine days
2. Mr. Shah Ali, faced detention for 13 days
3. Mr. Hanifa, faced detention for 13 days
4. Mr. Shirish Ali, received injuries as a result of physical attack by the thugs of sand miners
5. Mrs. Zobeda Begum, received injuries and fractured left leg as
a result of physical attack by the thugs of sand miners
6. Mrs. Jharna Akter, received injuries as a result of physical attack by the thugs of sand miners 7. Around 9000 inhabitants of the islands
All are residents of Mayadip and Nunertek islands under the jurisdiction of Sonargaon police station in Narayanganj district Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Subid Ali Bhuyan, a parliamentarian of Comilla distirct, who is a retired Major General of the Bangladesh Army 2. Mr. Zakir Hossain, owner of Jalal Enterprise, resident of Sonakanda of Meghna in Comilla – has taken lease of dredging in Meghna River from Comilla district 3. Mr. Gazi Ataur Rahman, lease owner of Nirman Traders, resident of Sonargaon of Narayanganj 4. Mr. Ali Hossain, lease owner of Madina Enterprise-2, village Haria of Sonargaon 5. Dayal Khaza Baba Dredger 6. Mr. Mohammad Nasim, OC of Meghna police station, Comilla 7. Mr. Osman Gani, son of late Amir Ali, president of Bangladesh Awami League of its Ward No. 6 Unit of Baradi Union Parishad, ex member of Baradi union parishad, Nunertek, Baradi, Sonargaon, Narayanganj 8. Mr. Zakir Hossain Zakaria, son of Mr. Sadar Ali, Nunertek, Baradi, Sonargaon, Narayanganj 9. Mr. Abul Kashem, son of late Mr. Arob Ali, Nunertek, Baradi, Sonargaon, Narayanganj 10. Mr. Abdul Latif, son of late Mr. Abdus Samad, Nunertek, Baradi, Sonargaon, Narayanganj 11. Mr. Tara Mia, son of Mr. Abed Ali, Nunertek, Baradi, Sonargaon, Narayanganj
12. Mr. Salahuddin, son of late Mr. Tofazzal, Nunertek, Baradi, Sonargaon, Narayanganj 13. Mr. Monsur Ali, son of Majot Ali,
resident of Nunertek, Baradi, Sonargaon, Narayanganj 14. Mr. Moynul, son of Mr. Ibrahim, resident of Nunertek, Baradi,
Sonargaon, Narayanganj 15. Mr. Swapan, resident of Nolchor village under the jurisdiction of Meghna police station in Comilla district 16. Md. Tarikullah, resident of Nolchor village under the jurisdiction of Meghna police station in Comilla district 17. Md. Shafikullah, resident of Nolchor village under the jurisdiction of Meghna police station in Comilla district 18. Md. Sanaullah, resident of Nolchor village under the jurisdiction of Meghna police station in Comilla district 19. Md. Nizam of Nolchor village of Meghna upazilla of Comilla district 20. Mamun Mridha, son of Mr. Razzak Mridha, hailed from Patarhat village, under the jurisdiction of Mehendiganj police station in Barisal district Date of incident: From March to October 2012 Place of incident: Mayadip Island and surrounding areas under the jurisdiction of the Sonargaon police station in Narayanganj district
AHRC-UAU-033-2012 ; AHRC-UAC-033-2012 ; AHRC-HAG-003-2011
In spite of government regulations, court orders, protest by local inhabitants, and intervention by various NGOs among other things, illegal sand mining in the Meghna River continues. Confrontations turn violent at times and often result in prosecution of those who oppose the sand mining. Similarly, mining companies also coerce the police into filing falsified charges against protestors.
Notable events include 9 August 2011; a part of Mayadip Island containing a paddy fell into the river and was washed away. September 11, a large group assaulted and injured inhabitants of Mayadip Island requiring some of the victims to be hospitalised. The attackers were heard making threats against any who oppose the sand mining. On September 13, government officials arrived, seize some of the equipment, and arrested several sand miners. However, they were surrounded and threatened until they released the equipment and the persons involved. The mob coerced the police into dropping the charges.
Story 11: Police fail to investigate a case of a man missing for ten years
Victim: Mr. Md. Karamat Ali, about 30, son of late Mr. Meser Ali, of Polashpole village under the jurisdiction of Sadar upazilla of Satkhira district
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Md. Hossain Ali, son of late Mr. Razu Goldar, of Ghona village under the jurisdiction of Sadar upazilla of Satkhira district, a former employee of the missing person at his business company and currently owner of Sadia Seed House at Satkhira district town
2. Mr. Abdus Sabur, Sub Inspector of Police
3. Mr. Asadul Islam, Sub Inspector of Police
4. Mr. Fakir Azizur Rahman, Sub Inspector of Police These three police officers were attached to the Sadar Police Station of Satkhira district at the period when the victim found missing
and were responsible for investigating and registering the
complaint of the family of the missing person
5. Mr. Md. Abu Jafar, Sub Inspector of Police cum Investigation Officer of the missing case, attached to the Sadar Police Station of Satkhira district
6. Mr. Md. Abdul Gafur, Secretary of Barobazar Maszid Committee of Satkhira district town
7. Mr. Hafizur Rahman, son of late Mr. Abdus Samad, village-
Polashpole
8. Mr. Salam Sarder, son of Sarwar a.k.a. Saru Sarder, village- Sultanpur
9. Mr. Mizan, son of late Wazed, village- Dahakula
10. Mr. Ramzan Ali
11. Mr. Muzibur Rahman
12. Mr. Mizanur Rahman
13. Mr. Anar From No. 10 to 13 all are sons of Mr. Abdul Mazed, residents of village- Katia
14. Mr. Masum (Satkhira Light House), Village- Sultanpur
15. Mr. Subid Hasan Bilu, son of Shafikul Islam a.k.a. Gher Khokon,
village- Dahakula
16. Mr. Shafikul a.k.a. Gher Khokon, village- Dahakula
17. Around 12 unidentified persons All are living in their respective places under the jurisdiction of Sadar police station of Satkhira district
Date of incident: From 11 May 2002 to September 2012 Place of incident: Al-Amin Seed House, at Sultanpur Barobazar in Satkhira district town
AHRC-UAC-175-2012
The victim has been missing since the summer of 2002 while on a business trip. His business partner claimed he had extended his trip to visit another city and had instructed him to take over the business.
In 2009 the wife of the victim lodged a complaint against the business partner. However the police have failed to investigate the case.
Story 12: A school teacher was forced into sexual act then suspended by her school for supporting another rape victim
Victim: Mrs. Shampa Goswami, a schoolteacher by profession, of Kaliganj upazilla, under the jurisdiction of Satkhira district. She was a human rights defender.
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Shushanta Kaur, of Bhobanipur village under the jurisdiction of Paikgachha police station in Khulna district
2. Mr. Samir Dey, political thug, attached to the Bangladesh Chhatra League, which is the student wing of the Bangladesh Awami League, the main political party of ruling regime;
3. Mr. Roni Biswas
4. Mr. Subhash Dey, father of Samir Dey
5. Mr. Hiralal Biswas
6. Mr. Kartik Sarkar
7. Mr. Yasin Ali Gazi All political activists of the Bangladesh Awami
League in the area
8. Mr. Shahadat Hossain, Chairman of Mozahar Memorial Secondary School Management Committee, president of the Satkhira district unit of Jatiya Party – an ally of the incumbent ruling regime comprising 14 political parties, chairman of Kaliganj Upazilla Parishad – a local government unit – and former of Member of Parliament
9. Mr. Abdul Hamid Sarder, Member of Mozahar Memorial Secondary School Management Committee and organizing secretary of a local union council unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) at Kaliganj upazilla of Satkhira district
10. Mr. Rafiqul Islam
11. Mr. Abdus Salim
12. Mr. Israil Gazi
13. Mr. Panchanan Mandal
14. Mr. Munsur Ali All members of Mozahar Memorial Secondary
School Management Committee
15. Police officers of Kaliganj police station of Satkhira district Date of incident: August 2011 to September 2012 Place of incident: Mozahar Memorial Secondary School at Kaliganj and various places in Satkhira district
AHRC-UAC-174-2012
In August 2011, Mrs. Shampa Goswami was visiting the victim of a gang rape when she was harassed by a man claiming to be a friend of the victim. This harassment escalated and in October Mrs. Shampa and a friend were accosted in a restaurant by a group demanding they stop supporting the victim.
When she tried to leave, a group followed her, surrounded her, took her phone, and sexually assaulted her. They then brought her to a rooftop where her brother’s friend was held captive and coerced the two into intimate acts which were photographed for the express purpose of blackmail.
After this they took her to a room where they began demanding money and sexual favours from her. They were interrupted by a passerby who heard her cries for help. The group refused to return Ms. Goswami’s phone or money. They forced her onto a bus. When she went to file a complaint she was accosted by another group that threatened her and forced her away.
On 19 February 2012, a case was finally brought against the perpetrators, and the perpetrators and their families responded by publicly threatening Mrs. Goswami’s work. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Goswami was asked by her superiors to drop the case which Mrs. Goswami responded to by filing a GD regarding the pressure. The management committee of the school escalated further, threatening to suspend her if she did not withdraw the case.
At this point the perpetrators attempted to use the photograph showing sexual acts they had forced her to do with the intention of destroying her public image and credibility. On June 30, the police arrested two of the perpetrators.
But the school where Mrs. Goswami was teaching suspended her on September 10. The police investigation into the victim’s complaint has been disrupted caused, allegedly, by either corruption or coercion from other parties.
Story 13: A policeman who raped an 11-year-old girl was never held accountable
Victim: Miss X (name withheld), 11 years, of Tapan Karbari Para village of Noymile area under Merung Union Parishad
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Russel Rana, Police Constable
2. Mr. Md. Shah Alam, Camp-In-Charge Both are attached to the Otol Tila Police Camp under the jurisdiction of Dighinala police station in Khagrachhari district
Date and time of incident: 21 August 2012 at 2:30pm
Place of incident: Behind a bush on a hill near to the Otol Tila Police Camp under the jurisdiction of Dighinala police station in Khagrachhari district
AHRC-UAC-167-2012
A policeman raped an 11-year-old girl in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The girl suffered serious physical, psychological, and social trauma due to the assault. The local police initially refused to register a complaint. Instead of registering the complaint Mr. Md. Shah Alam, Atal Tila Police Camp in-charge, offered BDT 1,000 (USD $ 12) to the girl’s mother to settle the matter.
Due to tremendous public pressure, a complaint was eventually recorded at the Dighinala police station. The police authorities have not taken any action against the alleged perpetrator, other than withdrawing the officer from his place of duty. The purpose was rather to protect the policeman than to hold him accountable.
Story 14: Magistrate violates law, while the government’s goons attempt to brand college student as a criminal after the Rapid Action Battalion took his leg away
Victim:
Md. Limon Hossain, age 16, son of Mr. Tofazzel Hossain and Mrs. Henoara Begum, living in Saturia village, under the jurisdiction of the Rajapur Police Station of Jhalkathi district.
Names of victims of latest incident:
1. Ms. Henoara Begum,
2. Mr. Tofazzel Hossain,
3. Around six other people
Alleged perpetrators of the original incident:
1. Md. Lutfor Rahman, Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) ID No.
5926,
2. Md. Hasan Habib, Sub Inspector (SI)
Md. Harun-ur-Rashid, Police Constable (PC) ID No. 30264
4. Md. Jahangir Hossain, Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) ID No.
5515
5. Mr. Tarek Aziz, ASI, ID No. 378
6. Mr. Muktadir Hossain, Nayek ID No. 63165
7. Md. Tanzir Ahmed, RAB ID No. 2006475
8. Mr. Prohlad Chandra, Nayek, ID No. 546
9. Mr. Anis Mollah, Sipahi, ID No. 30711
10. Mr. Kartik Kumar Bisawhs, Soldier ID No. 1812201
11. Mr. Md. Mazharul Islam, Corporal ID No. 46660
12. Mr. Md. Abdul Aziz, Constable ID No. 4590
13. Mr. Kartik Kumar Biswash
All the alleged perpetrators were attached to Crime Prevention Company (CPC) 01 of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-8 based in Barisal district at the time of the original incident.
Alleged perpetrators of the latest related incident:
1. Mr. Ibrahim Hawladar, resident of Saturia village, known to be an “informer” of the RAB in Jhalkathi district
2. Ms. Nusrat Jahan, Senior Judicial Magistrate, attached to the
Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court, Jhalkathi district
Date of the latest incident: 20-23 August 2012
Place of the latest incident: Street near Idurbari Bridge under the jurisdiction of Rajapur police station, and the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court of Jhalkathi district
AHRC-STM-218-2012; AHRC-UAU-028-2012; AHRC-UAC-075-2011
On 23 March 2011, members of the RAB stopped Mr. Limon Hossain in his tracks. He had been out near Idurbari Bridge to take his family’s cattle home. After accusing the victim of being a terrorist and threatening to kill him, one of the higher-ranked officers in the group shot him in the knee of his left leg. When family members rushed to help Limon, they were beaten by the RAB, who then proceeded to strip off Limon’s clothing to clean the blood and dirt off their boots. The RAB then departed by boat, taking Limon with them.
Later that day, Mr. Hossain woke up in a hospital in a neighboring city. The RAB had filed two reports related to the incident, rife with factual errors. The reports claimed the victim was a member of a terrorist squad that had attacked the RAB.
The next day, the Limon’s family learned about his whereabouts and attempted to visit him in the hospital. They only allowed the victim’s mother to see him for a few moments before the RAB members forced her out. The family was also unable to pay for the medical treatment recommended by the doctor, despite having collected funds from the community.
On March 17, doctors amputated the Limon’s left leg above the knee. On April 6, after a related media report, the RAB locked down the entire ward, only allowing the NHRC chairman inside to
meet with the victim. Acting on the Chairman’s advice, the family filed a complaint with a local magistrate on 10 April 2011. The
police did not register the complaint for two weeks. On 24 April, when public pressure mounted via the media and interventions from rights defenders, the complaint was registered with the Rajapur police. As a result, the RAB responded with threats and intimidation.
The victim’s family went into hiding. As a consequence of their pursuit of justice against the RAB perpetrators, Limon and his family have been attacked and injured. When they were waiting at a bus stop on August 20, on the occasion of the Eid-ul Fitr, Limon and his family were attacked by the RAB informer Ibrahim. On August 30, 2012, the police secretly submitted investigation report dropping all charges against the RAB in the case filed by Limon’s mother, Henoara Begum. She challenged the police investigation report in court. She filed a “no confidence” petition against the police investigation report. The Sessions Court of Jhalkathi rejected her plea on 13 February 2013. She further filed a review petition with the same Court on 13 March 2013. Up to June 2014, the hearings have been deferred on nine occasions with unjustified excuses.
Earlier, on 24 October 2012, executive officers of Jhalkathi district insisted Henoara withdraw her case against the RAB officers on the condition that fabricated charges filed by RAB officials against Limon would be dropped. On 23 June 2013, the NHRC Chairman Prof. Mizanur Rahman pursued Henoara to withdraw her case against the RAB officers, on behalf of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Henoara refused to comply with these pressures and wished to continue her fight for justice. In one of the RAB’s fabricated cases against Limon, the Court framed charge against him on 1 July 2013. It resulted in tremendous criticism on the court’s decision in the country led by human rights defenders and civil society groups in the media. Subsequently, on 9 July
2013, the Ministry of Home Affairs withdrew the two fabricated
cases filed by the RAB against Limon.
Story 15: Police and parliamentarians protected thugs who attacked a journalist
Victim: Mr. Billal Hossain Robin, 37, son of late Mr. Muzibur Rahman, a journalist by profession, a reporter for Daily Manabzamin – a Dhaka based Bangla language newspaper, of Subedar Villa at Siddhirganj in Narayanganj district Alleged perpetrators:
1. Nazrul Islam, 40, son of Chan Mia Bepari, Village, Mijmiji pashchimpara, Siddhirgon , Narayangon
2. 15 persons in the gang led by Nazrul Islam
3. Mr. Ashraf, Officer-in-Charge (Investigation), attached to the
Siddhirganj police station in Narayanganj district,
4. Mr. Nazmul Huda, Sub Inspector, attached to the Siddhirganj police station in Narayanganj district
Date of incident: 12 February 2011 Place of incident: Siddhirgang police station in Narayanganj
AHRC-UAC-102-2011
On 12 February 2011, Mr. Billal Hossain Robin was attacked and beaten by a group of 15 people. The attackers also robbed him. The group’s leader pointed his gun at the victim’s head because he was not happy with his reporting. They stopped attacking the victim only after the people in the community responded to help the victim who was crying for help.
The victim, with assistance from professional colleagues, contacted the police and the RAB. While drafting his complaint at the police station, seven of his attackers showed up and threatened him again. When the police did not intervene, he called the RAB whose arrival caused the mob to disperse.
The police criticised the account in the victim’s complaint. They claimed that since a gun was used they would have to collect that gun in evidence which they did not wish to do. The police refused to provide a copy of the complaint to the victim and refused to file First Information Report (FIR) claiming they would register it only after they completed their investigation.
When the victim asked why the police wanted the complaint immediately if they were not intending to register it, the police made a series of phone calls then informed him they could not take the case at all due to orders of a superior authority. They refused to disclose the identity of the person.
Eventually an OC arrived at the scene and, after a friend of the victim alleged that the OC was accepting a bribe to not accept the case, the OC asked the victim to write another complaint which was then filed properly filed.
The next day the victim learned that his attackers had filed a case against him (records indicate it was the very next case the police filed). On February 15, the OC called the victim and promised to investigate the case personally if the victim refrained from starting a public protest as doing so would disrupt the Cricket World Cup.
The political party to which the leader of the attacking mob belongs offered his support to the perpetrator, labelling him a “political activist” for the ruling political party.
Story 16: Police inaction narrows the path of justice for wounded human rights defender, who needs constant support for survival
Victims:
1. Mr. F.M. Abdur Razzak, age 44, Editor of the Gonomichhil (a fortnightly newspaper) & President of Human Rights Development Centre (HRDC), Paikgachha, son of Mr. Nur Ali Fakir
2. Mr. Bodiuzzaman, age 24, son of Mr. Nur Ali Fakir, a
3. Mr. Abu Bakkar Sana, relative of Mr. F. M. A. Razzak
All victims are originally inhabitants of Godaipur village, under the jurisdiction of Paikgachha Police Station, Khulna district, Bangladesh. They have been homeless since February 2011 due to the attack on their life, house, and property by relatives of Major Mustafizur Rahman Bokul.
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Mustafizur Rahman Bokul, a Major of the Bangladesh Army, currently attached to the Bogra Cantonment, son of Mr. Abdur Rouf Sarder
2. Mr. Abdur Rouf Sarder, a local madrasa teacher and son of late
Mr. Gafur Ali Sarder
3. Mr. Abul Kashem Sarder, President of Godaipur Purbopara Baitus Salam Mosque Management Committee, and son of late Mr. Nesar Ali Sarder
4. Mr. Kazal Sarder, son of Mr. Abdur Rouf Sarder
5. Mr. Nur Islam Sana, son of late Mr. Kesmat Ali Sana
6. Mrs. Koli Begum, mother of Major Mustafizur Rahman Bokul All the above live in Godaipur village, Paikgachha Police Station, Khulna district
Mr. Enamul Haque, Inspector of Police and Officer-in-Charge (OC),
attached to the Paikgachha Police Station, Khulna district
7. Mr. Idris Ali, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the Paikgachha
Police Station, Khulna district
8. Mr. Nasir Uddin, Assistant Superintendent of Police of the
Dakope Circle of Khulna district
Date of latest incident: 29 April 2011
Place of incident: Terminal for Dhaka-bound buses, and the house of Major Mustafizur Rahman Bokul, at Godaipur village, Paikgachha Police Station, Khulna district
AHRC-UAU-025-2011 ; AHRC-UAU-023-2011 ; AHRC-UAU-016-2011; AHRC-UAU-013-2011; AHRC-FUA-012-2011; AHRC-UAU-023-2011; UA-035-2007; UP-034-2007; AHRC-UAU-065-2008; AHRC-UAU-067-2008; AHRC-UAU-069-2008; article2, Vol. 8, No. 1; article2, Vol. 10, No. 2, and Ethics in Action Vol.2 No.6
The plight of Mr. F. M. A. Razzak has been published in analytical reports in article2. In 2008, Razzak was detained and tortured in a fabricated case involving the abduction of a minor girl, who actually fled from her home due to the physical assault she suffered from her step mother. Razzak was forced to pay numerous bribes to the police during his 25 day detention. The girl, when recovered from another district, testified in court that she had not seen Razzak before and that there was no question of him abducting her as she had fled from her home on her own. Razzak was acquitted by the court. Razzak’s situation and Bangladesh’s criminal justice institutions has een analysed in article2 Vol. 8, No. 1, published in March 2009.
In February and March of 2011, Mr. F.M.A. Razzak and his family were subjected to numerous damaging assaults of their
persons and property by various mobs led or incited by relatives of a military officer with whom Mr. Razzak had had a previous land dispute. While the courts sided with Mr. Razzak, the officer and his family have been encouraging members of a local mosque to drive Mr. Razzak off the land. The victim has also been the subject of numerous threats and demands for money. Mr. Razzak has also had difficulty filing a complaint as the police claim to be unable to enforce the law in the area and the perpetrators call repeatedly demanding he withdraw the complaint.
On 14 March 2011, while F.M.A. Razzak was in hiding due to the previous threats and attacks, the brother of the military officer lead a mob that broke into Mr. Razzak’s home, stole numerous valuables, and proceeded to relock the house with their own locks. When Mr. Razzak reported this, the police OC claimed to be unable to patrol the area due to violence against his officers.
On 29 April 2011, F.M.A. Razzak was abducted, along with two family members, by a mob of 20 people armed with crude weapons who were lead by the brother of the military officer and included the officer’s mother and the rest of his entire family. The victims were taken to a field where they were attacked with these weapons. The attack caused severe injuries to Mr. Razzak, including permanent and significant damage to his eyes and the victim is certain that they intended to kill him if not for the timely, though reluctant, intervention by police who had been brought to the location by other family members. In spite of witnessing the final parts of the attack, the police made no arrests and witnesses claim that the OC not only condoned the attack, but encouraged it in a phone call.
The injuries to Mr. Razzak were severe enough that was actually declared dead before a second examination by doctors was able to determine he had, in fact, survived and consequently transferred him to a nearby hospital. However, the doctors at that hospital refused to treat him allegedly at the behest of the perpetrators. At one point it even appeared the mob was planning to finish their attack in the hospital itself, but the local community attempted to apprehend them. The perpetrators again escaped, allegedly with the assistance of the police, and Mr. Razzak had to be transferred to another hospital where similar interference further delayed treatment.
On 19 May 2011, Mr. Razzak was still recovering from several major surgeries and his other injuries in a hospital. However, the lack of support and financial resources meant that he will likely be released before he has recovered sufficiently to no longer need professional medical assistance. Similarly, it is unlikely he will be able to afford the 2 years rehabilitation that the doctors believe will likely be the minimum for him to recover from most of his injuries.
Subsequent developments have been documented in article2 special edition titled “Focus: Defending the human rights defender: Standing up for FMA Razzak” in Vol. 10, No. 2, June
2011. The current publication underlines the developments have taken place since June 2011.
On December 5, the court ordered that the family be allowed to return to their home, and on December 9 the police assisted them in doing so. Furthermore, on 10 April 2012, an administrative inquiry began an investigation of the incidents and the inaction of the police. However, on April 13, family members of the military officer began attacking the lands of the victim and when his family came out to protest they attacked Mr. Razzak’s brothers with various weapons and required treatment at a hospital.
Story 17: Two cousins were laid with fabricated charges after four days of incommunicado torture
Victims:
1. Mr. Md. Nahidulr Haque Sazib, 25, son of late Mr. Mezbah Uddin
Sabu, of House No. 83/84 Hosseni Dalan Road, Chandkharpooll
2. Mr. Md. Kawsar Hossain Razib, 24, son of Mr. Mohammad Awlad Hossain, of House No. 9/3 Hosseni Dalan Road, Chandkharpooll
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Md. Abu Bakor Siddik, Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) ID no.
45778
2. Md. Hazrat Ali, Sub Inspector (SI) ID no. 15921
3. Md. Bachhu Mian, Nayek ID no. 52807
4. Md. Sumon Rana, Nayek ID no. 1291
5. Md. Zahirul Islam, Constable ID no. 1173
6. Md. Shafikul Islam, Sipahi ID no. 62803
There were six other unidentified members. All are attached to the Company-3 of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-10, based Lalbagh Camp in the city of Dhaka Date of incident: 5 to 10 April 2011
Place of incident: Torture cell of the RAB-10 Dhaka
AHRC-UAC-082-2011
On April 5, Mr. Sazib was stopped by members of the RAB. Accusing him of being a “snatcher”, they blindfolded and took him to a nearby RAB camp. There he was beaten until he passed out. A RAB medic was brought in to give him nominal treatment and juice before they resume torturing him again with electrical shocks to his feet. This method of torture lasted throughout the night.
On April 6, Mr. Sazib was taken to a superior officer who then ordered his men to continue torturing him until they got what they need. Mr. Razib was later taken off the street at gun point. They also threatened the victim’s family members when who were asking for justification why they arrested the victim. In the camp, they again blindfolded him, tied to a chair, beat and electrocuted his feet. They also inserted needles into his toes and fingers.
On April 7, similar methods of torture were applied on Mr. Sazib. His hands and ears were damaged. Mr. Razib was also tortured further on the same day. He was forced to admit and confess to a crime and threatened that he would either be killed in “crossfire” or they would file fabricated charges on him. Out of fear, he agreed to their demands.
On April 8, Mr. Sazib’s torture was expanded again to include kicking and stomping on his legs. The officers at one point required him to recite verses from the Quran as he was tortured.
On April 9 midnight, the two cousins were put in a vehicle together and driven to a river. The victims believed the RAB were intending to shoot them if they ran. They were again taken back to the RAB camp. They were told it had been decided that they would not be killed, but would be laid with fabricated charges which they later did. They were, however, warned not to mention their treatment to anyone. Mr. Razib was then briefly taken to a hospital for treatment. Mr. Sazib was tortured again before being taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
On April 10, the victims were arraigned and released on bail. Since then they and their family have received numerous threats for reporting their abuse. They have been unable to receive further medical treatment.
Story 18: Police attacked villagers in retaliation for injuring a policeman involved in robbery
Victims:
About 60 villagers. Twenty six of them were named while the rest are unnamed. These villagers live in Duptoil village under the jurisdiction of the Birol police station of Dinajpur district; others lives in village Karimpur Thana Birgonj, in Karimpur village under the jurisdiction of Birgonj Thana in Shorgram village Birol Thana Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Md. Haider Ali, Sub Inspector of police
2. Mr. Mujibor Rahaman (Constable ID no. 1048)
3. Mr. Md. Israel Haque (Constable ID no. 277)
4. Mr. Md. Rashedul Haque, Driver cum Constable (Constable
ID no. 268)
5. Mr. Ferdous, Sub Inspector of Birol Police station
6. Mr. Md. A K M Mohssin Uz Zaman Khan, Officer-in-Charge
(Admin), Birol police station
7. Mr. Horidas Mohanto, Officer-in-Charge (Investigation), Biral
police station
8. Mr. Siddiquee Tanzilur Rahman, Superintendent of Police, Dinajpur district
9. Mr. Md. Mokbul Hossain, ASP (Sadar Circle)
10. Mr. Sayttendra Nath Roy, Sub Inspector cum Riot Police-in- charge, Dinajpur
11. Two platoons of riot police
Date of incident: 7 and 8 March 2011
Place of incident: Daptoil village in Biral upazila of Dinajpur district
AHRC-UAC-068-2011
On 8 March 2011, a group of policemen dressed in civilian clothes knocked on the door of Mr. Shahjahan. Due to a recent robbery where the perpetrators had claimed to be police officers, the resident refused to open the door calling his neighbours for help. A mob quickly assembled and chased the police off, injuring one of them.
The officers filed a complaint against about 60 villagers (most unnamed) and later that day 2 platoons of riot police arrived in the village. These police began to assault, threaten, arrest, and otherwise harass passersby of all ages; entered private property; took private property; and disrupted local events such, as a wedding.
Furthermore, the police are accused of making sexual advances and sexually assaulting numerous young women, often “claiming” them as future brides.
Story 19: A male judge allegedly molested his subordinate
Victim: Mrs. Salma Begum, 42, a cleaner by occupation, attached to the Court of Settlement of Dhaka
Alleged perpetrator: Mr. Mohammad Yasin, a District Judge, appointed as the Chairman of the First Court of Settlement of Dhaka at Shegunbagicha in the city of Dhaka
Date of incident: 23 February 2011
Place of incident: Official Chamber of the Chairman of the First Court of Settlement of Dhaka at Shegunbagicha in the city of Dhaka
AHRC-UAC-052-2011
On 23 February 2011, Mrs. Salma Begum was hugged from behind by the chairmen of the First Court. The perpetrator at first claimed to be “kidding” but when other witnesses arrived he demanded she be thrown out.
After a closed meeting with other judges, Mrs. Begum was told she had made a false accusation and that medical examination would be conducted. She was also told not to speak about the incident. The police eventually arrived, but they appear not to have investigated. The victim claims the perpetrator has threatened her job and promised to hide behind influential friends.
Story 20: Police tortures a journalist for criticising their traffic management skills
Victim:
Mr. Gias Ahmed, Joint News Editor of Desh TV, a private television channel based in Dhaka, a Member of the Dhaka Union of Journalist (DUJ) and Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), lives
in the Dhaka Metropolitan City
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Mosharf, Police Constable
2. S M Asad, Police Sergeant
3. Mr. Ashraful, Police Sergeant
4. Mr. Jahangir, Sub Inspector of Police
5. Mr. Mahbubur Rahamn, Police Inspector and Officer-in-Charge
(OC) of the Tejgaon police station
6. Mr. Salim Mohammad Jahangir, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the Tejgaon Zone
7. Mr. Masud Hossain, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Public
Relations)
8. Md. Elias Sharif, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) of
the West Zone
9. Mr. Hasnat Nazmul Alam, Police Sergeant
All are attached to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Date of incident: 14 February 2011
Place of incident: Police outpost at SARC Fountain roundabout and the custody of Tejgoan police station in Dhaka.
AHRC-UAC-044-2011
On February 14, Mr. Gias Ahmed was beaten on the street by several police officers for criticising the traffic management skills of one of their colleagues on duty. They took him inside a police vehicle where they talked of how were going to torture him, bragged of torturing other journalists and to falsely accuse him of carrying a gun.
At the police station, he was asked to sign a confession and pay bribe. When he refused they put him in a cell. They restricted access to him and allowed only basic medical treatment for his injuries. When the police were questioned about his injuries, two of the officers involved gave contradictory accounts of the incident.
After midnight, the police released the victim. The police also promised to investigate his claims (on condition he would not to publish the story).The police began its internal probe, met with the victim, and collected evidence, but they did not publish the result of their findings.
Story 21: Police killed an 18-year-old student
Victim: Imtiaz Hossain Abir, 18, student of higher secondary level at the Northern College of Mohammadpur in Dhaka, son of Mr. Kazi Golam Farukh, living in Rupnagar Residential area House no 31, third floor, Road no 21, Mirpur under the jurisdiction of the Pallabi police station in Dhaka Metropolitan City
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Md. Ismael Hossain(ID No BP -7695016392) , Investigating Officer of a criminal case and Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the Pallabi police station, Dhaka Metropolitan Police
2. Mr. Md. Iqbal Hossain, BP No: 6387106356 , Officer-in-Charge,
Pallabi Police station, Imtiaz Hossain
3. Mr.Md. Hekmot Ali ,Sub Inspector of Police
4. Mr. Md.Mojibor, Consatbale Number 2557
5. Mr. Md. Saydur Rahman, Constable ID Number 19883 All are attached to the Pallabi Police station Date of incident: 10
January 2011
Place of incident: Baunia Balur Math area, Mirpur under the jurisdiction of the Pallabi police station in the city of Dhaka
AHRC-UAC-029-2011
On January 10, Mr. Kazi Imtiaz Hossain Abir was abducted on his way home from a badminton match. After his phone was answered by a stranger, his family began to look for him but was unable to find out what had happened. The next day the news reported that Mr. Abir had been killed by the police as a result of “crossfire” with an unidentified gang that he was assisting in preparing a robbery. They learned that three cases had been opened against him.
The official records of the shooting are inconsistent as to the identity of the victim, the nature of his injuries, and other relevant facts. Notably, many in the community do not remember a gun fight at all, but rather a small number of shots fired. Similarly, eye witness evidence suggests that the three witnesses called by the police were instructed as to what they saw by the police after the boy had been shot and killed, rather than be allowed to record what they actually had witnessed.
Forensic analysis also indicates that the victim had been shot at very close range in the leg, which is generally inconsistent with a gun battle in an open area.
The family has not filed a complaint as they believe that the criminal justice system would protect the police and thus their troubles would only be compounded. They are also upset that the personal property of the victim has not been returned to them.
Story 22: Government food subsidy fails to reach the poor due to corruption
Victims:
1. About 234 Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) card holders who have not received food subsidy 2. VGF card holders who received less than earmarked food subsidy Alleged Perpetrators: Local government unit, Palasbari sub-district, Gaibandha district Place of incident: Monohorpur union, Palasbari sub-district, Gaibandha district
AHRC-HAG-004-2011; AHRC-HAG-002-2010; AHRC- HAG-003-2010; AHRC-HAG-004-2010
On September 8, about 1,000 families were entitled for assistance under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) program.
On March 21, the administration distributed the food subsidy to the beneficiaries but failed to reach 234 of the card holders. Some of those who did receive it did not receive the full amount. It is also alleged that members from various local government councils have also taken VGF cards. The VGF committee allegedly submitted a muster roll with false signatures to the government officials in charge of the program while none of the beneficiaries were informed that they were entitled to receive food subsidy by VGF.
Story 23: Arbitrary detention and fabrication of charges on a labour rights activist
Victim: Ms. Moshrefa Mishu, 46, a leftist political activist, general secretary of the Ganatantrik Biplobi (Democratic Revolutionary) Party and President of the Garment Workers Unity Forum (GWUF, living in a house 51-2
Kolabagan North Road under the jurisdiction of the Kolabagan police station in the Dhaka Metropolitan city Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Md. Anisur Rahman, Police Inspector and Officer
in-Charge (OC) of Kafrul Police station
2. Mr. Md. Robiul Huq, Sub Inspector of police and the Investigation Officer (IO) of case no 76 of Kafrul police station
3. Mr. Md. Motiur Rahman, Sub Inspector of police and the
Investigation Officer (IO) of case 21 of Kafrul police station
4. Mr. Md. Shamim Hossain, Police Inspector and Officer-in-Charge
(OC) of Khilkhet police station
5. Mr. K M Firoz Al Jalal, Inspector of police and the Investigation
Officer (IO) of the case with Khilkhet police station
6. Mr. Nazrul Islam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Detective Branch (DB) of Police
7. Mr. Muniruz Zaman, Assistant Commissioner (AC) of DB
8. Mr. Nasir, AC of DB
All are attached to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)
9. Mr. Munshi Abdul Mazid, Metropolitan Magistrate, attached to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court of Dhaka
10. Dr. Mustafizur Rahman, Assistant Professor of Medicine Unit
of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) Date of incident: 14 December 2010
Place of incident: Custody of Detective Branch of the Dhaka
Metropolitan Police and Dhaka Central Jail
AHRC-UAC-006-2011
At 1am on December 14, Ms. Moshrefa Mishu was arrested by heavily armed men and women wearing civilian clothing after they forced their way into her home. They arrested her without a warrant insisting they had a dictate from a higher level of the government. The police refused Ms. Mishu to use the toilet and pack her belongings before taking her with them. They also refused to allow her carry her inhaler for asthma.
At the police station Ms. Mishu was interrogated on her political convictions. They accused her of attempting to incite a riot among workers at Kuril and for being agent for mainland China. They asked her to sign a blank piece of paper on premise that she would receive a political appointment.
In the afternoon, Ms. Mishu was arraigned for two cases. She was remanded for two days. A third case was filed in a different jurisdiction. That evening they interrogated her again, presented her with a blank piece of paper again, and threatened to kill or disappear her if she refused to sign. She suffered from difficulty breathing, but the police refused to provide for medical assistance.
On December 19, Ms. Mishu was again presented in court, this time for the third charge of arson, vandalism and obstruction. It was alleged that the magistrate said he had orders from superior not to grant her bail. She was given one more day of remand. The victim’s medical condition worsened. At the insistence of her family, the magistrate ordered her transfer to a hospital.
When Ms. Mishu returned to court, the police again demanded the she be remanded and it was so ordered.
Story 24: Illegal arrest and detention of a lawyer-cum- politician for months on fabricated charges
Victim: Mr. Mantu Ghosh, 60, a lawyer by profession and also a member of the Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), at House No. 306/1 Notun Pal Para of the Narayanganj district town
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Khondokar Mustafizur Rahman, Investigating Officer of a criminal case and Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the Gulshan police station, Dhaka Metropolitan Police
2. Mr. Md. Kamal Uddin, Officer-in-Charge, Gulshan Police station,
3. Mr.Md. Obidul Huq, BP No: 6184010192, Assistant Police Commissioner, attached to Detective & Crime Information Department of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police
4. Mr.Md. Ziaur Rahman, BP No: 6790008809, Police Inspector, attached to Detective & Crime Information Department of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police
5. Eleven police personnel attached to the Detective Branch of the
Dhaka Metropolitan Police
6. Mr. Moinul Islam Khan, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the
Tejgoan Industrial Area police station
7. Mr. Shah Mohammed Ahad Hossain, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the Tejgoan Industrial Area police station
8. Mr. Md. Sayed Iftekhar Hossain, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the Tejgoan Industrial Area police station
9. Mr. Md. Homayon Kabir, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the Tejgoan Industrial Area police station
10. Mr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the
11. Mr. Alamgir Hossain, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the
Tejgoan Industrial Area police station
12. Mr. Bacchu Mia, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the Adbar police station
13. Mir Sabbir Ali Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the Adbar police station
14. Mr. Md. Korban Ali, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the
Ashulia police station
15. Mr. Mijanur Rahman, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the
Ashulia police station
16. Mr. Mir Billal Hossain, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the
Ashulia police station
17. Mr. Mijanur Rahman, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the
Ashulia police station
18. Mr. Golam Mustafa, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the
Ashulia police station
All are attached to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police
Place of incident (illegal arrest): House No. 306/1 Notun Pal Para of the Narayanganj district town
Date of incident: 31 July 2010
AHRC-UAC-169-2010
On July 31 2010, at 1am 12 heavily armed police dressed in civilian clothing arrested Mr. Ghosh in his home without a warrant. At the station he was interrogated regarding his political affiliations, especially with India, and his work with readymade garment factory workers. Later that afternoon he was arraigned and remanded for two days on a case including explosive substances. The following day, a police station in a different jurisdiction filed three new cases against him and he was remanded for an additional five days.
On August 3, another station demanded remand regarding two cases filed in July and were granted four more days of remand. During this time, the police allegedly treated Mr. Ghosh inhumanly and degraded him in the name of interrogation. On August 5 he filed he made a complaint about this. The court, upon hearing the complaint, admonished the police not to use torture, and to provide him medical care he needed.
On August 8, a police station in Dhaka arrested him on four cases pending since June and the victim was again remanded. Over the next month the court variously granted and rejected bail applications on the numerous cases against Mr. Ghosh without explanation, which lead to Mr. Ghosh remaining in custody.
On October 11, the victim’s lawyers asked for a special bail petition, citing Mr. Ghosh’s health. The petition was granted and the victim was released.
Story 25: Police tortures a man to death in custody when his wife fails to pay them a bribe
Victim: Mr. Md. Mokles Matbor, 45, of Moshurigao (Moshurpara) under the jurisdiction of the Gosairhat Police Station in Shariatpur district
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Sayed Imdadul Huq, Sub Inspector of Police
2. Mr.Md. Sahadat Hossain, Assistant Sub Inspector of Police
3. Mr. Jalal Sikdar (Constable No: 461), Police Constable
4. Mr. Lutfor Rahman (Constable No.491), Police Constable
5. Mr. Shofiqul Islam, (Constable No.366), Police Constable
6. Mr. Bulbul Ahamed, Probationary Sub Inspector of police
7. Mr. Md. Ekram Ali Molla, Inspector of Police and Officer-in- Charge (OC). All are attached to the Gosairhat police station in Shariatpur district
8. Mr. Abul Hasnat, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Goshairhat Circle of Shariatpur district Alleged perpetrators who gave false medical documents:
1. Mr. A K M Alauddin, Upazilla Nirbahi Officer (chief administrative officer of sub-district) and Executive Magistrate Gosairhat Upazila
2. Dr. Nirmal Chandra Das, Residential Medical Officer, Sadar
Hospital, Shariatpur
3. Dr. Rajesh Mazumder, Medical Officer, Sadar Hospital, Shariatpur
4. Mr. A K M Shahidur Rahman, Superintendent of Police (SP), Shariatpur district
5. Mr. Ashok Kumar Dutta, Senior Magistrate, Shariatpur district Place of incident (Torture & Death): Gosairhat Police Station in Shariatpur district Date of incident (Custodial death due to torture):
31 August 2010
AHRC-UAC-167 -2010
On August 29, Mr. Matbor was arrested as a suspect in the rape and murder of a woman and her two children that had been filed on August 10. The arresting officers did not produce a warrant at the time of his arrest. When his wife went to the police station for an explanation, she was asked to pay a bribe for his safety. She was unable to pay. That evening the police tortured Mr. Matbor with beatings and manipulation of his genitals, acts his wife claims to have witnessed from a distance.
On August 31, the court granted remand and later that night Mr. Matbor was dead. The police claim he had hanged himself in his cell. The Goshairhat police registered a case of “Unnatural Death” and the chief executive officer of the sub-district, as an Executive Magistrate, signed an Inquest Report of the dead body, which was prepared by a police officer the same evening. The Inquest Report claimed that there was no sign of injury on the body of the deceased
On the other hand, Mr. Matbor relatives allege that the civil and police administration jointly suppressed the facts regarding the custodial torture. The Superintendent of Police of Shariatpur district and other police officers allegedly convinced the administrative officials to make a fake report and the doctors at the hospital collaborated with them. The senior Magistrate who granted police remand of Mr. Matbor would also have to be involved with the process of manipulating the merit of the custodial death case by suppressing the truth.
In order to verify the allegation of custodial death when the local human rights defenders visited the place where the body was allegedly found. They erroneously concluded that the victim could not have hanged himself because his feet would likely have been touching the ground had he attempted to do so. When a cousin of the victim went to the police station to demand answers, the police denied wrong doing and offered settlements. The cousin claimed that the shopkeepers and pedestrians who witnessed the torture of Mr. Matbor, asserted that police forced him to walk around with a brick tied to his genitals. The dead body had a number of marks of injury and the male organ was abnormally swollen.
On the morning of September 3, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, accompanied by the OC of the Goshairhat police and a number of policemen, went to the victim’s house, apologized to his widow, and offered to settle the case financially.
Story 26: A man dies after being shot in police custody
Victim: Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, 35 years, a businessman who runs a photo-studio on rent, son of Mr. Abdul Jalil, of Baroberait, under the jurisdiction of the Badda police station of the Dhaka Metropolitan city
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Anisur Rahman, Sub Inspector of police
2. Mr. Kamal Uddin, Inspector of Police and Officer-in-Charge (OC)
3. Mr. Sheikh Masud Karim, Operations Officer
4. Mr. Mahmud Moyeen, Sub Inspector of Police
5. Mr. Khitish Chandra Roy, Sub Inspector of Police
6. Mr. Md. Abdul Malek, Police Constable (Badge No. 6467)
7. Mr. Md. Shafiuzzaman, Police Constable (Badge No. 3013)
8. Mr. Sahidullah, Police Constable (Badge No. 5773) All are attached to the Gulshan police station of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)
Date and Time of arrest: At 3am on 30 June 2010
Place of arrest: Victim’s home
AHRC-UAC-107-2010
On June 30, a team of policemen dressed in civilian clothing broke into the home of Mr. Rahman and arrested him without a warrant. They told his landlord that he was a suspect in a case involving the theft of a car. His wife went to the police station. When the police brought him in, she insisted he was innocent and the police told her the court would determine the facts accordingly.
When she returned to the police station later that day, she bribed the guard to get access to her husband. She then met with the SI to demand her husband be release which he responded to by demanding a bribe she was unable to pay. The next day, the victim’s wife again went to the station, this time to determine why her husband had not been produced in court. The SI demanded a reduced bribe and insinuated that her husband might be subjected to torture if she did not pay. The wife claimed to be unable to pay, and she and her sister again bribed the guards to meet with her husband who claimed that he had already been tortured and denied food. Later that day she received a phone call demanding a further reduced bribe which would result in lighter charges for her husband so that he could be released. However when they went to the police station to pay the bribe, the SI was not available to accept it, so they bribed the guard to get food to the victim.
The next day, the victim’s wife received a phone call telling her that her husband was in hospital. Shortly thereafter she called the police to ask if her husband was still in his cell and they claimed he was. Two hours after the first call she was again called from the hospital and told her she needed to come immediately and that her husband needed blood. When she checked with the police again she was told her husband was not in his cell. When she arrived at the hospital she found her husband on the floor.
According to his cell mate, Mr. Rahman was shot and bled to death while waiting at the hospital after the two of them were forced to participate in a mock escape attempt on 1 July 2010. While the police claim he was killed in a gun battle on the street when they interrupted him trying to steal a car.
On July 5, a probe was established to examine his killing (and two others) in police custody and the court ordered that it be informed of how the matter would be dealt with internally. Similarly, it ordered the government to explain itself to the court, and established a panel of notable lawyers and experts to assist.
Over the next few weeks the victim’s family found itself under government surveillance and consequently moved several times, while the police claimed to following the court’s order and criticised the media for playing up the emotional aspect of the case. Later, the police abducted the victim’s wife, attempted to coerce her with threats and money from talking with journalists or NGOs, and stole her cell phone (which was later returned to her). The widow also complained that her former landlord asked her to settle the case to spare the career of one of the superior officers in the local police force and that no one representing the court had taken her statement
By August 21, it appears that the police had paid a sum of money to the victim’s widow and her sister-in-law; the wife had gone to the office of the AC where she received the Death Certificate
of the victim, a money receipt, and a certificate issued by a local
Imam of a mosque regarding burial of her husband’s dead body.
Story 27: Police detains and threatens to torture a widow who questioned the death of her husband
Victim: Mr. Babul Kazi, an auto-rickshaw operator cum mechanic by profession, son of late Mr. Rupai Kazi, of House No. 327/A, Noyatola of Baramoghbazar, under the jurisdiction of the Ramna police station of the Dhaka Metropolitan City
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Altaf Hossain, Sub Inspector of Police
2. Mr. Hiron Mian, Police Constable (Badge No. 6998)
3. Mr. Seraj, Police Constable (Badge No. 27761)
4. Mr. Shibli Noman, Police Inspector and Officer-in-Charge (OC)
5. Mr. Enamul Haque, Sub Inspector of Police All are attached to the Ramna Police Station of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police
6. Mr. Nannu Mian, Member of AnsarI (Village Defence Party) (Badge No. 23509), assigned to assist the Ramna police
7. Mr. Krishna Pada Roy, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Motijheel
Zone, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Place of incident: Ramna police custody Date of Incident: 28 June 2010
AHRC-UAC-101-2010
On June 18, a man claiming to represent to police arrived at Mr. Kazi’s home to request a bribe to secure the release of Mr. Kazi’s rickshaw and business partners, who had been arrested by the RAB. Over the next few days Mr. Kazi partially paid the bribe and continued to seek funds, but the police did not release.
On June 28, two police officers arrived at Mr. Kazi’s workshop and demanded he pay the money he had collected so far. When he refused they abducted him. The victim’s wife attempted to contact the police to determine his whereabouts later that evening but was told he was in the hospital with head injuries sustained by jumping from the police van. He died on arrival at the hospital covered with sand.
When the family attempted to confront the police, they were threatened with violence and forced to sign blank sheets of paper. The police returned the victim’s phone, but took all his money. On June 29, the hospital still refused to release further details of the victim’s death, and the police began to threaten the family not to make the case public. Since then, the family has been told by various political leaders not to file a case, in spite of the fact that the police records regarding the relevant incidents are contradictory.
On July 3, the DMP formed an inquiry committee to look into this case, and on July 5 a Public Interest Litigation was filed by two human rights organisations with the High Court Division of the Supreme Court regarding three custodial deaths, including
Babul’s, that took place in Dhaka within one week. A Division Bench responded by directing the Ministry of Home Affairs to form probe committees that excluded police members, to investigate the incidents and the police responded by detaining the victim’s widow, threatening her with torture, and interrogating her over whom she may have spoken to.
Story 28: Father of a 23-year-old boy who died in police custody threatened for not withdrawing his complaint
Victim: Mr. Robiul Hasan Khokon, 23, son of Mr. Md. Shahajahan, of Mozzotpara (Jheelpara) under the jurisdiction of the Chatkhil police station in Noakhali district
Alleged perpetrators (Torture):
1. Mr. Abdul Mannan, Sub Inspector of Police
2. Mr. Mohammed Sohidullah, Police Constable
3. Mr. Golam Mostafa, Police Constable
4. Mr. Humayan Kabir, Inspector of Police and Officer-in-Charge (OC) All are attached to the Chatkhil Police Station of Noakhali district
Place of incident (Torture): Chatkhil police station in Noakhali district
Date of incident (Custodial death due to torture): 13 May 2010
AHRC-UAU-024-2010
On December 21 2009, Mr. Robiul Islam Khokon was arrested by the RAB while riding a bus. On December 22 a case was filed against him alleging he had two illegal firearms in his possession. On April 9 2010, the police asked for a warrant for his arrest regarding an open robbery case from October 2009. On April 10, the police were granted remand of Mr. Khokon for interrogation.
On May 10 2010, Mr. Khokon was arrested again, and phone call was made to his father soliciting a bribe; a solicitation backed with threats of torture and death for the victim. When the family did not bring the money to the police station, the police beat Mr. Khokon with various instruments to the point he required hospitalisation shortly after midnight. When the family approached the police on May 11, the police denied the victim was in their custody and insisted the relatives leave without revealing his whereabouts.
On May 12, the victim was transferred to a different hospital where, on May 13, he died. Consequently, an inquest took place and police refused to produce the Inquest Report to the media, human rights defenders and relatives of the deceased. Nevertheless, The Shahbagh police registered an Unnatural Death case regarding the incident.
On May 14, police requested the signature of the victim’s mother and registered a murder case against one of the alleged perpetrators, though the dates of the alleged torture conflict with
timeline of the victim’s hospitalisation. The accused police officer was then arrested and denied bail.
On June 5, the police station of the accused perpetrator attempted to bribe the father of the victim, who refused the payment and asked only for justice. On June 14, the court began the hearing of the case by continuing it to a later date. The father of the victim, while leaving the courthouse, was approached by the wife and several coworkers of the accused who threatened to torture and kill the victim’s father if he did not withdraw the case.
Story 29: RAB officers asked their arrestees what cases they
should fabricate against them
Victims:
Mr. Salim Miah, 35, a businessman of fruits and fish, son of Mr. Abdur Rashid, of Vaoal Chandpur village under the jurisdiction of the Kapasia police station of the Gazipur district
Name of detained victims:
1. Mr. Mohammad Ali Hossain, a farmer and fish businessman, of Pirojpur village under the Kapasia police station in Gazipur district
2. Mr. Mohon, 28, son of Ismail Sirker of Mirpur
3. Mr. Abdul Hasanat, 28, son of Shibah Uddin of Vaoal Chandpur village under the Kapasia police station of the Gazipur district
4. Mr. Mainul Islam
5. Mr. Mamun
Name of officers allegedly involved in the case:
1. Mr. Md. Mozaffar Hossain, Deputy Assistant Director (DAD)
2. Mr. Md. Jahangir Alam, Sub Inspector of Police
3. Mr. Quashem, Havildar
4. Mr. Taleb, Lance Nayek
5. Mr. Abul Bashar, Nayek
6. Mr. Mamun, Constable
All are attached to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-4 stationed at
Paikpara in Mirpur of the city of Dhaka
Place of original incident: The custody of the RAB-4 in Dhaka
Date of original incident: 19 February 2010
AHRC-UAU-020-2010
On February 19, Mr. Salim Miah was among several people arrested by the RAB while he was visiting his friend in his home. The RAB was vague as to the reason why, and asked the victims what type of case they should fabricate against them. The witness claims that other witnesses saw Mr. Miah in a separate cell where he had been tortured.
On March 1, the witness was released but Mr. Miah was not. Mr. Miah’s wife spent several weeks searching police stations, morgues, prisons, and hospitals to no avail and eventually filed a Habeus petition.
On April 15, the courts held a hearing on the petition and the government claimed they had never arrested or had custody of the victim. The court told the police to recheck all their records
and report back in three weeks on the whereabouts of anyone of that name who had contact with the RAB. The police appear to have ignored this order.
Story 30: Police kills a man who refused their offer to act as their contract killer
Victim: Mr. Rubel, 30, of Sarulia under the jurisdiction of the Demra police station in Dhaka Metropolitan City
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Major Kamruzzaman,
2. Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) Mr. Delwar Hossain,
3. Sergeant Mr. Ferdous Ali
4. Sub Inspector Mr. Aminur Rahman,
5. Constables Mr. Mohammad Ruhul Amin
6. Mr. Mohammad Abdul Quader
7. Mr. Faruk Hossain
8. Mr. Mohammad Pervez
9. Soldier Mr. Mohammad Jamshed All are attached to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-10 10. Demra Police Station, Dhaka Metropolitan Police
Place of Incident: House No. 4 of the Garden Road at Bahir Tengra of Sharulia area under the jurisdiction of the Demra police station in the city of Dhaka.
Date of incident: 16 March 2010
AHRC-UAC-066-2010
On March 16 2010, an RAB team in civilian dress surrounded the home of Mr. Rubel Ahmed’s neighbour while he was visiting. One of the officers approached Mr. Ahmed and conducted an inspection of the victim using information he received in a contemporaneous phone call. When the inspection concluded, they restrained Mr. Ahmed. They began beating him and insisted he had firearms. The victim managed to escape to the rooftop where he was detained a second time. They shot him in the head and torso while taking him back downstairs.
The police then allegedly tried to stage the scene as either a gunfight or a suicide (or both) before alleging it had been a cross- fire related death during a gun battle. Local witnesses strongly dispute any possibility that a gun battle occurred. The body was examined and returned to the family for burial, but the police insisted the burial happen immediately, and warned the family not to make a complaint.
The brother of the victim believes the RAB office had motives to kill. He alleges that someone had approached the victim and attempted to hire him as a contract killer. When the victim refused and then warned the person whom he was asked to kill, the person hired the police to kill Mr. Ahmed in revenge.
Story 31: A policeman who demanded bribe from his victims asked them to collect their money back after he was exposed
Victim: Mr. Kazi Muhammad Ziaul Haque, 30, employed as a Senior Principal Officer of the Rupali Bank Ltd. at the head office of the bank in Dhaka, son of late Mr. Shamsul Haque, of 18/9 Rajar Bagh under the Shabuzbagh police station of the Dhaka Metropolitan area Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Md. Rafikul Islam, Sub Inspector of Police
2. Mr. Murad, Constable of Police
3. Mr. Mamun, Sub Inspector of Police, Second Officer
4. Mr. Tofazzel Hossain, Officer-in-Charge (OC)
5. Two unidentified police officers All are attached to the Motijheel police station
Place of Incident: Motijheel police custody under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police
Date of incident: 7 to 8 March 2010
AHRC-UAC-031-2010
On March 7, the victim was involved in a small accident. The responding officer demanded a bribe from the victim and insisted that the victim bring the officer to the victim’s house for payment of the bribe. When it became known to the officer that the victim’s family would be unable to pay the bribe, he allegedly attempted to throw the victim from the bike while it was still moving, but then called his superior officer who arrested him and brought him back to the police station.
At the station, the two policemen began to beat the victim in the presence of the other individual involved in the crash. The police then threatened to fabricate charges against the victim and kill him in a staged gunfight. Eventually the brother of the victim arrived, but the police refused to deal with him unless he paid a reduced bribe, which he could not.
The next day the victim and his brother brought before the SI where the victim signed blank documents and was charged with offenses loosely related to the previous events. The victim, then released, went to a local medical center where the doctor recommended he be admitted for his injuries.
Later, he filed two petitions on the matter and had his case published in a national newspaper, he was contacted by a local OC who wanted to schedule a meeting to discuss a refund of the bribe money, an invitation the victim rejected.
Story 32: The family of a man whom police falsely charged paid bribe so the police would not to torture him but they tortured him anyway
Victims:
1. Mr. Md. Sohrab Hossain, 40, a carpenter by profession, son of late Mr. Mokshed Sheikh, of Tokia village under the Paikgachha police station in Khulna district
2. Mr. Hamidur Rahman, 38, son of Mr. Akimuddin Sheikh, an inhabitant of Madanpur village,
3. Mr. Selim Morol, 40, son of Mr. Hazrat Morol, of Islamkati village.
Both villages are under the Tala police station in Satkhira district
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Md. Lutfor Rahma, Sub Inspector (SI), attached to the Tala Police Station in Satkhira district as the Second Officer of the police station
2. Four police constables of the Tala police station of Sathkhira district
Date of the arrest: At 9pm on 7 January 2010
Place of arrest: Atharomile Bazar, Dumuria, Khulna
AHRC-UAC-028-2010
On January 7 2010, the police arrested Mr. Sohrab Hossain with two murder suspects. The police proceeded to beat him before bringing him to their station. The police at the station investigated and concluded that he might have lied about his name, since his name bore a passing resemblance to a different murder suspect, and proceeded to torture him in order to obtain a confession.
The next day Mr. Hossain was charged with robbery from December 2009 and brought before a court scheduled the remand hearing for the January 13, and ordered the victim to be held until then. His family attempted to visit him and was forced to pay bribe before the police gave them any information. The court allowed two days remand, and he was later returned to the police station while the family bribed the SI not to torture the victim further.
However, the torture continued and the family was required to pay an additional bribe to ensure that he was given food, and then charged transportation fees for his transit to and from the jail where he was kept. Mr. Hossain was kept in custody for at least two months, in spite of his family’s protestations regarding the case against him.
Story 33: Police files charges against protestors for condemning the death of a torture victim
Victims:
1. Mr. Md. Mohiuddin Arif, 30, married with two children, son of Mr. Md. Abdul Mazid, of House No. 928, Road No. 5, section-7 of the Pallabi Residential Area of Dhaka Metropolitan city
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Mr. Anowar
2. Mr. Babul
3. Mr. Bishawnath
All are officers of the Rapid Action Battalion
4. Mr. Kabir Hossain, Lieutenant Colonel of the Bangladesh Army, currently seconded to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) as the
Commander of the RAB-4 based in Mirpur of Dhaka Metropolitan City
5. Mr. Iqbal Hossain, Officer-in-Charge (OC), Pallabi Police Station
under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police
6. Police officers of the Pallabi Police Station
Date of arrest: January 24, 2010
Place of incident: Office of the Rapid Action Battalion-4 and Pallabi
Police Station
AHRC-UAC-019-2010
On January 24, officers from the RAB arrested Mr. Arif at his family’s home and warned his family not to tell anyone about it. Later when they came back, Mr. Arif already had injuries. They then ransacked his house supposedly to find evidence they could used against him, but they could not find any they began assaulting Mr. Arif in front of his family.
Under torture, Mr. Arif told the RAB officers they could find a gun in his home. Mr. Arif, however, knew they would fabricate a charge against him, and the officers would continue torturing him until they have evidence, even if there is nothing at all. When they could not find any, the RAB left taking Mr. Arif with them.
The next day the victim was transferred to police custody. The police denied Mr. Arif’s family to visit him. They told them they would be feed him.
On January 26, Mr. Arif was charged with robbery without him being presented in person in court. His family visited him and learned that due to his injuries, he could not stand; he suffered from broken bones in his legs and torso, among other injuries. The judge then ordered him detained in jail. Over the next several days Mr. Arif was repeatedly sent for medical treatment and returned to his cell.
On February 3, Mr. Arif died before reaching the hospital. The medical examiner investigated pursuant to an inquest, but details of the report were not made public. When the community staged a protest against the RAB, the police responded by registering cases against the forty protestors. They began intimidating and threatening them.
Story 34: Torture of a journalist in a police vehicle in Rangpur
Victim:
1. Mr. Saidul Islam Alamgir, 40, of district correspondent for the
Bangladesh Shangbad Shangastha (BSS), a state-run news agency. He is son of late Mr. Farid Uddin and lives in West Mulatole in Rangpur.
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Nur Alam
2. Mr. Rajendra Chandra Sheel
3. Mr. Shariful Islam, Second Officer,
4. Mr. Mustifizur Rahman
All are Sub Inspectors of Police, attached to the Kotowali Police
Station in Rangpur
5. Mr. Abdus Sabur, Havilder of police
6. Mr. Mehedi Hassan, Constable of Police
Both are attached to the Kotowali Police Station in Rangpurt
Place of the incident: Inside a police vehicle under the jurisdiction of the Kotwali Police Station, Rangpur, Bangladesh
Time and date of torture: 11:30pm 12 January to 3am 13
January 2010
AHRC-UAC-008-2010
On January 10, Mr. Saidul Islam Alamgir filed a complaint regarding the actions of several influential businessmen.
On January 12, after missing an appointment with the police OC, he was briefly abducted and beaten by a group, some of whom he recognised as police officers who also tried to cause permanent injury to him and threatened to kill him in the presence of his nephew (who was also detained). At the station, Mr. Alamgir was forced into an overcrowded cell, denied explanation of his arrest, and threatened again.
The next day, the victim collapsed and, after some confrontation, other journalists were able to secure his release and brought him to a local hospital for treatment. He was then briefly held in a courtroom jail before being transferred to a prison. However, on the 14th, due to intercession by several individuals and in part due to his health, he was granted bail for further medical treatment.
Story 35: Elderly widows denied food
Victims:
1. Bimala, 75, widow
2. Halima, 73, widow
3. Sobiron, 82, widow
4. Sarifon Nesha, 72, widow
Victim who paid bribe to get old age allowance
5. Mr. Sabed Ali, 82, paid BDK 2000 (USD 30) to get old age allowance
Victim whose Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) card is kept with a member of Union Council
6. Ms. Nasima, wife of Mr. Safiqul Islam
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Chairman of Union Council, Ghorabandha village, Halimnagar post office, Palashbari sub-district, Gaibandha district, Rangpur division
2. Mr. Hamid and Other members of Union council of Ghorabandha village
3. Public servants of Palashbari sub-district in charge of relevant social security programs
These persons took bribes to provide social security programs or keep the food distribution card (VGD card) but did not distribute them.
Place of incident: Ghorabandha village, Halimnagar post office, Palashbari sub-district, Gaibandha district, Rangpur division.
AHRC-HAG-002-2010
Thirteen elderly individuals from three villages have not received support to which they are entitled regarding their situation. While some of them have been able to scrape by on assistance from family members, most are suffering from inadequate nutrition, inadequate healthcare, and failing health.
Upon appealing to local leaders they are often required to pay bribes outside of their financial ability. In many cases this means that they are forced to beg on the streets. Those with family often find the support from friends and relatives is insufficient to ameliorate the government’s failure.
Story 36: Eviction of around 30 lower caste families in a
Hindu community
Victims: Low caste; Hindu; Nathpara community in Karal village, under the Patiya police station in Chittagong district.
Alleged perpetrators: The Ministry of Communication, the Patiya police and representatives from Chittagong and Patiya Upazilla.
AHRC-UAG-002-2009
On September 15 2009 the District Administration of Chittagong served a notice to the residents of Nathpara, Karol village, asking that they claim official ownership before 14 October
2009. The residents did not respond as some of them may not actually have legally recognized documents that prove their ownership and several evictions attempts have followed and were met with protests.
The inhabitants alternately claim that their historic and sentimental attachment to the land is not being properly considered and that the policy to compensate them is flawed. Concurrently they alleged that they were targeted because of their status as a minority, and their previous marginalisation would make moving difficult for them. While they acknowledge that the project will improve the infrastructure of the area, they fear that internal displacement may lead them to into further financial difficulty.
In following weeks a group of community representatives have met and received verbal assurances from the incumbent minister and secretaries. However the local administration, with police, continued to visit the village regularly to urge residents to leave.
Story 37: Police sexually molested, tortured a pregnant woman they abduct
Victim: Mrs. Shahin Sultana Santa, 34, wife of Mr. Atiur Rahman (a lawyer by profession), former residents of house number 7/A (3rd Floor), Road number 10, Mohammadia Housing Society under Mohammadpur police station in Dhaka
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Mazharul Haque, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South
Zone), Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)
2. Mr. Kohinur Mian, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West Zone), Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)
3. Mr. Ruhul Amin, Police Constable of the Dhaka Metropolitan
Police (DMP)
4. Around 20 to 25 police personnel of the Dhaka Metropolitan
Police (DMP)
Date of incident: 12 March 2006
Place of incident: Mirpur Road, in between Manik Mian Avenue and
Road number 27 of Dhanmondi R/A in Dhaka
UA-105-2006; UP-058-2006
On March 12, Mrs. Shahin Sultana Santa, is diabetic and was pregnant at the time of the assault, was abducted, sexually assaulted, and tortured by various means by police. As a result, she suffered numerous injuries due to which she miscarried. Since then the police have threatened her and her husband with fabricated charges against them and intimidated witnesses. In one case a witness was killed in a trap alleged to have been set by police. On May 21, her case was dismissed.
On October 30, Santa registered a Revision Petition with the Metropolitan Sessions Court of Dhaka, which challenged the tribunal’s dismissal of her torture case. The complaint had been pending for almost three years, with nineteen successive hearings called, and delayed, until 27 September 2009, when the court ordered the police to register the complaint.
After investigation, several attempts were made to arrest the perpetrators who, in the interim, were suspended and, on 1
October 2009, pre-emptively filed a petition for bail. The police also began internal proceedings and recorded witness statements on November 30.
Story 38: Killing of a man in ‘crossfire’
Victims:
1. Mr. Nirapad Boiragi, 58; son of late Mr. Sonnasi Boiragi, formerly a tailor in a shop owned by Mr. Peter at Chalna Bazar; of Sajiara village, under the Dumuria police station, Khulna
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Md. Fauzul Kabir, Inspector of Police and Officer-in-Charge
(OC) of the Dumuria police station, Khulna
2. Other officers attached to the Dumuria police, Khulna
3. Officers attached to Kakope police station, Khulna
4. Officers of the Khulna district police
Date of incident: 9 October 2009
Place of incident: On the bank of Bhadra River, beside Dumuria Bazar, in an area under the Dumuria police station, Khulna
AHRC-UAC-167-2009
Mr. Nirapad Boiragi, who had been arbitrarily arrested at least three times prior was, on October 7 2009, was summoned to a local police station where he was arrested and detained without warrant. When his family tried to contact him and arrange legal representation the next day, they were unable to determine where he was.
On October 9, the family was informed he was killed in “crossfire” during a gun battle with the police during the arrest of a subversive political group, a story that conflicts with his prior arrest and detainment.
The police only allowed the family to identify the body once, at a distance, before refusing to allow any further examination or care, before they ordered its immediate cremation without the consent or involvement of the family and, the next day, gave the victim a funeral with honors appropriate to his position.
Story 39: Three women were beaten by a mob in a land dispute
Victims:
1. Ms. Rita Kuntala Gomes; lawyer; daughter of Mr. Sunil Gomes; living at DCC 606/A North Kafrul under the Kafrul police station, Dhaka Metropolitan City.
Names of alleged negligent officials:
1. Mr. Delwar Ahamed Inspector of Police and Officer-in-Charge
(OC) of the Kafrul police station
2. Mr. Maniruzzaman, Sub Inspector of Police
3. Mr. Mohammad Emdadul Haq, Sub Inspector of Police
4. Mr. Faruk Ahmed, Sub Inspector of Police
5. Mr. Mahbub, Assistant Sub Inspector of Police
All attached to the Kafrul Police Station under the Dhaka
Metropolitan Police (DMP) in Dhaka. Date of incident: 22 October 2009
Place of incident: Victim’s residence
AHRC-UAC-157-2009
On 9 October 2009, Ms. Gomes was called to a local police station to address a land dispute that was already pending in court. On arrival, however, she was informed that an FIR had been lodged against her entire family by the other party alleging theft of construction materials.
The next day, a group of women gathered outside the other party’s house and, at the instruction of the owner, began using sticks to beat the victim, her mother, and an employee. Arrival of
the police brought the attack to a halt, but the officers left shortly thereafter without offering protection, dispersing the group of attackers, or making arrests.
On October 11, Ms. Gomes and her family were granted bail regarding the charge of theft and subsequently received threats of eviction. On October 22, the victim reported that gunfire was heard outside her house, but the police did not investigate. The victim believes this is an extension of a pattern of neglect fuelled by religious intolerance as she and her family are members of a minority religious group.
Story 40: Disappearance of a torture victim after police picked him up
Victims:
1. Mr. Muzibur Rahman, 40, a businessman, son of Mr. Munsop Sana, of Court Road in the Paikgachha town under the Paikgachha police station in Khulna
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Aminul Islam, Sub Inspector of Police
2. Mr. Momin Uddin, Sub Inspector of Police
3. Mr. Md. Aslam Hossain, Inspector of Police and Officer-in-Charge
(OC)
4. Mr. Ramesh, Constable of Police
All are attached to the Paikgachha police station of the Khulna district
Place of incident: Paikgachha police station in Khulna distirct
Date of incident: 13 November 2009
AHRC-UAU-032-2009; UP-048-2007
On November 13 2009, Mr. Muzibur Rahman was arrested at his farm without warrant, detained but not made available to family or legal representatives, and then taken away in a police vehicle. The police eventually remarked that they had been ordered to send him to the Office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police. His family believe this was related to his claims of police torture (which he had decided not to pursue in court) stemming from a case several years earlier.
Story 41: Detention and torture of a man whom police laid fabricated charges on four occasions
Victim:
1. Mr. Golok Chandra Mandal, 32, a businessman by profession, son of late Mr. Govinda Chandra Mandal, of Khaliarchak village under the Paikgachha police station in Khulna district
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Ainuddin Bishwas, Sub Inspector of Police
2. Mr. S. M. Badrul Alam, Inspector of Police and Officer-in-Charge
(OC)
3. Mr. Hashem Ali Khan, Inspector of Police and Officer-in-Charge
(OC), recently withdrawn from the Paikgachha police station
4. Mr. Delwar Hossain, Sub Inspector of Police, recently transferred to Kustia district
All were attached to the Paikgachha Police Station at the time of the incidents
5. Mr. Gawharul Islam, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the
Batiyaghata police station of Khulna district
6. Mr. Saiful Islam, Inspector of Police, attached to the Detective
Branch of Police of Khulna district
Perpetrators involved in beating:
1. Mr. Md. Abdullah Sardar, 32, son of Mr. Omar Ali Sardar
2. Mr. Mizanur Rahman, 30, son of late Mr. Zobed Gazi
3. Mr. Jagadish Paramanik, 32, son of Mr. Sunil Paramanik
4. Mr. Mrittunjay, 30, son of Mr. Bhushan Mandal
All are living in Sarol village under the Paikgachha police station in Khulna district
5. Mr. Md. Madhu Sheikh, 36, son of Mr. Habibur Rahman Sheikh, living in Mekelpuraikati under the Paikgachha police station in Khulna district
Date of incident: 11 September, 2009
Place of incident: Police station of Paikgachha
AHRC-UAC-147-2009
Starting in 2008, Mr. Golak Chandra Mandal has had several cases fabricated against him, allegedly at the behest of business and political rivals, in an effort to harass, detain, and defame him.
Mr. Mandal spent 18 days in prison, from September 17 to October 5, 2008, in spite of already being cleared of involvement by police investigation. Another case was fabricated against him shortly thereafter, and bribes were solicited from the family to ensure a favourable report.
On October 26, the police arrested him on suspicion of murder using evidence allegedly obtained after 3 days of torturing the “witnesses” (he was not a suspect named by the official complainant).
On October 27, the police filed for the arrest warrant (in spite of the fact he had already been arrested). He was detained until November 25, when the court granted three days of remand, during which he was tortured while the OC solicited bribes from family to ensure he would not be permanently disabled. He was then returned to jail where he remained until December 27, when he was released and went into hiding.
On January 24, the investigation into a charge filed in October, alleging a crime the victim could not have committed as he was in jail at the time, finally cleared him of wrong doing. Subsequently, he filed a complaint against the police, and the DIG ordered an inquiry. The local police responded by arranging an assault of the victim. The victim filed a complaint on September 2 regarding the assault, and within hours the group returned and beat him with
sticks and machetes before robbing him. The police first refused to file regarding the second assault, but eventually filed an FIR after the victim was required to get a court order on September 8.
On September 11, the police filed an assault FIR naming Mr. Mandal as a suspect. Strangely, the person filing it claimed he was not allowed to read the FIR before signing it, and later signed an affidavit alleging the police had used him to fabricate the charges.
On September 17, the police claimed that their investigation into Mr. Mandal’s allegations had cleared their officers of wrong doing. The victim submitted an objection with affidavits from witnesses avowing the police had never contacted them during the investigation.
Story 42: Police prevented a journalist from filing torture
allegations against paramilitary soldiers
Victim:
1. Mr. F. M. Masum, journalist of the New Age, an English speaking national daily newspaper; living in South Jatrabari, Dhaka Metropolitan City
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Anis, Flight Lieutenant of the Bangladesh Air Force, attached to the Rapid Action Battalion-10 at the time of the incident
2. Around eight other members of the Rapid Action Battalion-10. Date of incident: 22 October 2009
Place of incident: The house of the victim and the office of the RAB-
10 at Dhalapur in Dhaka
AHRC-UAC-146-2009
On October 22, the RAB raided the residence of F. M. Masum, beat him with various weapons, tortured him, threatened to kill him, and attempted to frame him as a drug dealer. When they removed him from the premises, they refused to allow him to bring his asthma medication. Calls made to various officials in an attempt to correct the situation were met with dramatically different stories and attitudes, many mutually exclusive, though eventually they agreed to release Mr. Masum.
He was shortly released “in good health” in spite of his need for hospitalisation and significant medical treatment and months of rehabilitation. The first hospital he visited also refused to admit him despite determining his condition as “critical”. It is believed that this was done at the behest of the military.
The following day, the RAB released a statement of “regret” and promised an internal investigation. Over the next two days, attempts were made to register a case with the local police, and the Home Minister assured the victim the case would be registered, but the police had still not registered the case as of October 31.
Story 43: Police pressured the victim of an acid attack to withdraw her case and marry her attacker
Victim:
1. Ms. Reshma, 18; daughter of Mr. Md. Habibullah Morol; of Horinkhola village under the Koyra police station in Khulna district.
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Md. Abdul Hashem, Sub Inspector of Police; attached to
Koyra Police Station in Khulna district at the time of the incident.
2. Mr. Kazi Daud Hossain, Inspector of Police and Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Koyra Police Station in Khulna district at the time of the incident.
3. Mr. Md. Ayub Mollah, age 20; son of Mr. Eakub Mollah; living in Ghatakhali under Koyra Police Station in Khulna district.
Date of incident: 7 May 2009
Place of incident: The victim’s home, Horinkhola village, Khulna district
AHRC-UAC-144-2009
The victim, after refusing a marriage proposal, enduring harassment, and reporting that harassment to the perpetrator’s family, was threatened by the perpetrator with an acid attack.
On May 7, 2009, the perpetrator attempted to sexually assault
Ms. Reshma, and when she resisted he threw acid onto her face.
When Ms. Reshma attempted to file a case, the police refused and recommended that she settle for financial restitution and marry her attacker as they believe her family was too poor and her perpetrators family too well connected for her claim to succeed. The perpetrator and his political associates then started to harass Reshma, threatening her life, and other witnesses have also allegedly been warned not to testify. The case she filed with in September, at a different police station, allegedly cleared the perpetrator of wrong doing.
Story 44: Police torture a man and file fake charges against
Victims:
1. Mr. Monirul Islam Morol, 35, son of Mr. Md. Lutfur Morol, living in Dhamrail village under the Paikgachha police station in Khulna distirct
Name of the Victim (In Fabricated Case):
1. Mr. Khairul Islam, 36, son of late Mr. Jasmatullah Fakir, living in Chak Kawali village under the Paikgachha police station in Khulna district
2. Mr. Anarul Sana, 38, son of late Mr. Jaha Box Sana, living in Kawali village under the Paikgachha police station in Khulna district
4. Ms. Rawshanara, 40, elected Member of Nagarghat Union Council in the reserved seats for the female persons, daughter of Mr. Jasim Sardar, living in Nagarghata village under the Patkelghata police station of Satkhira district
5. Mr. Enayet Gazi, 36, son of Mr. Ibrahim Gazi, living in Patkelghata village under the Patkelghata police station of Satkhira district
6. Mr. Kabir Mollik, 22, son of Mr. Kawsar Mallik, living in Dhulihar village under the Satkhira Sadar police station in Satkhira district
7. Mr. Shafikul Mallik, 40, son of Mr. Kawsar Mallik, living in Dhulihar village under the Satkhira Sadar police station in Satkhira district
8. Mr. Nazrul Islam Sana, 35, son of Mr. Mohiuddin Sana, living in Dhulihar village under the Satkhira Sadar police station in Satkhira district
9. Mr. Razzak Morol, 39, son of Mr. Asmatullah Morol, living in Alomdanga under the Patkelghata police station of Satkhira district
10. Mr. Ismaile Hossain, 30, son of Mr. Nur Mohammad, living in Jhikargachha under the Kolaroa police station in Satkhira district
11. Mr. Abdul Hannan Boddi, age 38, son of Mr. Abdul Kader Boddi, living in Komlapur under the Satkhira Sadar police station in Satkhira district
12. Mr. Kutub Ali, 28, son of Mr. Sayed Ali, living in Hadipur village under the Devhata police station in Satkhira district
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Delware Hossain, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the Paikgachha police station in Khulna district at the time of the incident
2. Mr. Badrul Alam, Inspector of Police and Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Paikgachha police station in Khulna district at the time of the incident
3. Ms. Monzila Begum, age 36, wife of Mr. Afaz Uddin, living in
Dhamrail under the Paikgachha police station in Khulna district
4. Ms. Fatema Begum, age 55, wife of Mr. Wahed Ali Gayen, living in Moukhali under the Paikgachha police station in Khulna district
5. Sub Inspector Ziaur Rahman Zia, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the Patkelghata police station in Satkhira district at the time of the incident
Date of incident: 13 May and 23 – 29 July 2009
Place of incident: Home of Monirul Islam Morol and the Paikgachha police station
AHRC-UAC-138-2009
A number of victims of fraud (one of whom was a council member), in an agreement signed and witnessed by the police sub inspector on 13 May 2009, took custody of one of the men who defrauded them while he was to repay the victims (This agreement of responsibility is known as “Jimmanama” and is outside the legal process).
The criminal’s mother, however, filed a case against the victims alleging they had kidnapped her son and led a police raid on the council member’s house to rescue him. During the raid, they also beat and arrested the council member’s younger brother. Subsequently, various raids on the homes of the fraud victims took place and the police attempted to arrest them. While one victim was able to secure a High Court order against the police on July
3, the others had to resort to bribery to ensure the raids would stop. Nevertheless, the police filed an abduction case against the victims and, when a victim (Mr. Monirul) complained, arrested, detained, and beat him without a warrant.
On 25 July, the police fabricated a case of attempted abduction of the fraud’s daughter against a group of the victims. During this time they began beating Mr. Monirul again as a means of soliciting bribes from his family.
Story 45: Police corruption resulted in kidnapping of a girl four times in a month
Victim (Abducted): Ms. Rupa Mandal, 12, daughter of late Mr. Bikash Chandra Mandal
Name of the victim (Police Torture):
1. Ms. Shukkuli Rani Mandal, 40, wife of late Mr. Bikash Chandra
Mandal
2. Ms. Krishna Mandal, 14, daughter of late Mr. Bikash Chandra
Mandal
All are living in Saral village under the Ward number 5 of the
Paikgachha Municipality in Khulna district. Alleged perpetrators (Abduction):
1. Mr. Zohor Ali Morol, 22, working as a Staff of the Jewel Fish
Product Ltd. at Paikgachha in Khulna district,
2. Mr. Haidar Ali Morol, 35
3. Mr. Nur Islam Morol, 26
4. Mr. Asadul Islam Morol, 38
All are sons of Mr. Intaz Ali Morol, of Batikhali village under the
Ward number 6 of the Paikgachha Municipality in Khulna district
5. Mr. Md. Islam Sardar, 50, son of late Mr. Sadan Sardar, of Batikhali village under the Ward number 6 of the Paikgachha Municipality in Khulna district
6. Mr. Md. Salim, 42, working as the General Manager of Jewel
Fish Product Ltd. At Paikgachha in Khulna district
7. Mr. Md. Shahidul Islam, 40, working as a Staff of the Jewel Fish Product Ltd. at Paikgachha in Khulna district, son of Md. Nowsher Ali Sardar, living in Kazla village under the Sadar police station in Satkhira district
8. Mr. Abdus Sattar Par, 42, working as a Staff of the Jewel Fish Product Ltd. at Paikgachha in Khulna district, son of late Mr. Nur Ali Par, of Indonagar village under the Sadar police station in Satkhira district
Alleged Perpetrator (Police Torture):
9. Mr. Delwar Hossain, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the
Paikgachha police station in Khulna district
Date of incident: At 11:00 AM on 22 August 2009
Place of incident (Abduction): House of the victims
Place of incident (Police Torture): Paikgachha Bus Terminal and the
Office of the Jewel Fish Product Ltd.
AHRC-UAC-119-2009
On July 22, Ms. Mandal was abducted. While she was rescued by police at the behest of her mother, the police refused to file a complaint. On Jul 27, she was abducted again and the police refused to respond, but she was ultimately rescued by members of the local community. On August 19, Ms. Mandal was abducted a third time, this time taken to the home of the perpetrator. The police again refused to file a criminal complaint, but solicited a bribe from the perpetrator as well as a promise that he would direct his interest towards marrying a Muslim girl.
The perpetrator subsequently informed the victim’s family that he would marry the victim anyway, and that he would kill anyone who attempted to intervene. The family appealed to the local government who, in turn, ordered the police to provide protection for the victim’s family. The police made no effort to follow this order. On August 22, the victim was abducted again while members of her family were beaten. The mother of the victim appealed to the police and was again denied assistance of any kind.
An FIR was filed only after petition to the Special Tribunal for Women and Children Repression Prevention of Khulna. The victim’s family was then subjected to threats from employees of the perpetrator’s company and the police pressured them to either arbitrate or withdraw the case. On September 10, the SI believed to have assisted the perpetrators was transferred, but the victim had still not been located.
Story 46: Two men arbitrarily detained and tortured by police to elicit bribes
Victims:
1. Mr. Monirul Islam Monir, son of late Mr. Nawab Ali Gazi
2. Mr. Shahidul Islam, son of Mr. Shahar Ali
Both resident in Takia village, Khulna district, under the jurisdiction of the Paikgachha police station
Names of alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Ayub Ali, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to Paikgachha police station,Khulna district
2. Mr. Ali Hashem Khan, Inspector of Police and Officer-in-Charge
(OC), Paikgachha police station, Khulna district
Date of arrest and torture: November 2 to 6, 2008
Place of torture: Paikgachha police custody
AHRC-UAC-049-2009
In September 2007, Mr. Shahidul Islam and Mr. Moniru
Islam were accused of burglary by a neighbour. The son of the
neighbour attempted to file a report, but was asked for a bribe by the OIC and SI. Instead of filing the report, the SI was tasked with resolving the case through other means.
On 2 November 2008, the SI summoned Shahidul to the police station and had him held there without cause while other police forced their way into Monirul’s home and arrested him.
The two men were held for four days and, when they were unable to pay the requested bribes, they were beaten and tortured. The police then informed the family of the torture and demanded the family pay the bribe (which the family borrowed money to do). The men were subsequently brought to court where they were accused of having been causing a public disturbance near the magistrate the night before (while they were in police custody).
On 12 June 2009, the two victims were summoned to appear the next day at a police station 3 hours away from their home to testify regarding their allegations of police torture. The day of the appointment, and officer went to their home and issued threats in an attempt to get them to show up. The victims declined to appear, though the mother of one of the victims claims she did not pass the summons to them at all. Another notice was sent on June 23, but arrived after the proposed meeting time. A third notice arrived on July 18, with a request that the Shahidul first visit the local police station. Shahidul, fearing that he would be tortured again, opted to pay a motorbike rider to drive him to the meeting and bypass the local police.
At the meeting Shahidul claims the ASP questioned him, asked what motivated him to complain to human rights groups, and asked him to speculate on what might have happened had he not been released or had the police instead charged him with a more serious crime. He believed that this was intended to skew his perspective of the events.
Story 47: Twelve men are detained and tortured by police under fabricated charges
Victims:
1. Mr. Farid Tarafdar, son of Mr. Esen Ali Tarafdar, a grocer, whose right hand was broken
2. Mr. Shahidul Bishwas, son of Mr. Abdul Malek Bishwas and
a fish-seller
3. Mr. Tarek Mirza, son of Mr. Rafikur Mirza and vegetables-seller
4. Mr. Uzzal Bishwas, son of late Mr. Haren Bishwas and a banana-seller, whose right hand was broken
5. Mr. Kishore Banarjee, son of Mr. Dilip Banarjee and a worker of a local cable operator
6. Mr. Nil Ratan Banarjee, son of Mr. Ganesh Banarjee and a tea stall owner
7. Mr. Titon Datta, son of Mr. Arjun Datta and a worker of a local cable operator
8. Mr. Alamgir Dewan, son of Mr. Mohammod Ali Dewan and an electrician
9. Mr. Md. Bazlur Rahman Gazi, son of Mr. Abul Kashem Gazi and a restaurant worker, who sustained serious damage to his left shoulder
10. Mr. Rafikul Islam, son of Mr. Mohammod Ali and a banana
seller
11. Mr. Ziaur Rahman Zia, son of Mr. Abul Hossain, rickshawpuller, who sustained serious injury to his left heel and cannot walk
12. Mr. Swapan, son of Mr. Subol Bishwas and a motor vehicle driver, whose middle back has been seriously injured
All resident in the municipal area of Manirampur municipal town, Jessore district, under the jurisdiction of the Manirampur police station
Names of alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Lokman Hakim, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Manirampur
Police Station
2. Mr. Abdul Kader Begh, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Kotowali
Police Station
3. Mr. Apurba Hassan, Town Sub Inspector of Police, attached to the Kotowali police station, Jessore district
4. Five police officers of the Manirampur and the Kotowali police
stations of Jessore district
Date of arrest and torture: 10 May 2009
Place of torture: Manirampur and the Kotowali police station in
Jessore
AHRC-UAC-052-2009
On May 10 2009, following a clash between two factions of the student wing of the ruling political party, the police arrested a group of 13 men who were sitting in a school field late at night. While one of the men was released, the other 12 were held overnight and beaten. The next morning, the police charged them with conspiracy to commit a cognizable offence, bail was granted, and they were released.
The victims then went to a local press club to report their treatment. Four of the victims claim to have been unable to work due to their injuries, and that they cannot afford proper medical treatment
