Death from custodial torture alleged

But the matter has been suppressed by authorities of Jessore Central Jail, Jessore 250 Bed Hospital and a Court Inspector.

The torture came to light when people attending the Namaj-e-Janaja of victim Anisur Rahman found marks of injury on the body on Tuesday.

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The body was buried without autopsy.

Anisur Rahmn, 23, son of late Nur Islam of Birampur village on the outskirts of Jessore town was arrested on May 31 by Jhikargacha police under Section 54 while he was going to his father-in-law's house at Chapatala village in the upazila.

On June 1, he was produced before a Magistrate court, which sent him to Jessore Central Jail (Hajati No. 2596/04).

At about 9.20 am on August 5, the jail authorities admitted him to Jessore 250 Bed Hospital (registration No. 15290/13). It is alleged that he had fallen sick due to torture in custody.

On August 7, when his condition deteriorated, he was released from hospital. Prior to this, a Sub-inspector of Jessore Court hurriedly called his mother Rabeya Khatun to the hospital and took her thumb impression on a white paper, Rabeya told this correspondent.

On August 8, Rabeiya brought Anisur to the hospital again and admitted him in a serious condition.

Anisur told his mother that he was severely tortured in custody on August 4 as he wanted a match box from the on-duty policeman for smoking. He died at the hospital at about 3 am on August 10.

When asked by journalists on Tuesday, Jailer Abdul Gaffor Mullik said there was no such prisoner in Jessore Central Jail.

Mentionably, the court had dismissed the case on August 5 as the investigation officer (IO) in his report said the allegation against him could not be proved.