Death in custody: ‘Tortured on the spot’

Rabiul fell to the ground and lost consciousness after a policeman kicked him in the crotch around 10:00pm on Thursday night, said a man who claimed to be among those standing close to the scene.

The policemen then took him in a pickup truck and left, the man said, seeking anonymity.

According to documents at Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital, doctors pronounced Rabiul dead after he was taken to the hospital around 11:45pm.

Rabiul Islam, 26, was a resident of Kazir Chawra village in Lalmonirhat Sadar. He got into an argument with officers when the police team detained him on suspicion of being a gambler at a Baishakhi Mela, a traditional event celebrating the first day of the Bangla new year.

About five policemen then beat him up until he fell to the ground and lost consciousness, said locals and witnesses.

Rabiul and his father used to run a timber business, said the family members and locals.

The Daily Star correspondent yesterday talked to over two dozen people in Kazir Chawra village and all of them said they never heard that Rabiul had a gambling habit.

"I never saw Rabiul's involvement in gambling. I met Rabiul that night. He told me that he was going to the Mela to buy toys for his daughter," said Nurul Islam, 58, a resident of the village.

Rafiqul Islam, former chairman of Harati Union Parishad, said, "I knew him for a long time. I never heard any allegation against him."

Meanwhile, Rabiul's family members said they were not filing a case because of fears of reprisals.

A spokesperson of police in the district on Friday said the allegations against policemen would be thoroughly investigated.

Rabiul's widow Monira Begum, 20, yesterday said, "I want to file a case. But many of our family members are scared."

Rabiul's father Dulal Khan said, "We think that we will not be able to continue normal life, if we sue the police. They may file another case against us. We can't have a legal battle against the police."

Rabiul's death sparked anger among locals, who blockaded the Lalmonirhat-Burimari highway in Mahendranagar for an hour on Friday afternoon demanding justice.

Sub-Inspector Halimur Rahman, who led the police team that attacked Rabiul, was closed from Lalmonirhat Police Station and attached to the district police lines.