Custodial death: Suspended police officer denied bail

A virtual court in Dhaka today rejected a bail petition of suspended sub-inspector of Pallabi Police Station Zahidur Rahman Zahid in a case filed over the custodial death of Ishtiaque Ahmed Jonny in 2014.

Judge KM EmrulKayesh of Dhaka Metropolitan Session Judge's Court passed the order after his lawyer submitted a petition seeking his bail in the case through an email.

In his order, the judge said the case is now at the last stage of judgment and there is no new ground for granting him bail.

Earlier, the prosecution and all the lawyers of the five accused, except one, completed their arguments in the case. So, his bail petition was rejected, the judge added.

The others accused are: Pallabi Police Station assistant sub-inspectors QamruzzamanMintu and Rashedul Islam, and their informants Sumon and Russell.

According to the case statement, a group of 25-26 policemen -- including SI Zahid -- raided a house during a wedding ceremony in Pallabi's Irani camp area and arrested Jonny on February 8, 2014.

Informer Sumon and two of his friends including Russell called police after Jonny slapped him for stalking women at a programme.

Police allegedly tortured Jonnyat the police station.

After Jonny fell sick the next day, he was admitted to a local clinic. Later, he was transferred to Suhrawardy Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

On August 8, 2014, the victim's younger brother -- Imtiaz Hossain Rocky -- filed the case with the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court of Dhaka.

On February 17, 2015, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Maruf Hossain conducted a judicial inquiry, found involvement of Zahid and the other four, and submitted a judicial inquiry report to the court.

On April 17, 2016, the court framed charges against the five.