He was detained and tortured by police two years ago. Yet he was determined to overcome the odds and become a first-class government officer. It was yesterday that his hard work finally paid off.
Abdul Kadar, who was tortured in police custody in July 2011, has been recommended for the education cadre by the Public Service Commission (PSC), which means he is going to be a lecturer at a government college.
“I am very glad today,” a jubilant Kadar told The Daily Star hours after the PSC published the final results of the 33rd Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examinations.
Torture at the hands of police could not make him averse to the profession. In fact, he has always wanted to become a police officer. Therefore, his jubilation yesterday was tinged with disappointment.
“Still I wish to be a police officer. I will try it again,” said Kadar, who had the police cadre as his first choice.
Then a student of biochemistry and molecular biology, Kadar was detained on charges of robbery when he was returning to his dormitory around 1:30am on July 16, 2011.
He was arrested even after he showed police his identity card, he said, adding that they even stabbed him in the left calf with a cleaver.
Police filed three separate cases against him to implicate him falsely. But following media outcry, the High Court on July 28 that year ordered the inspector general of police to probe the incident.
Three officials of Khilgaon Police Station, including the officer-in-charge, were suspended and Kadar was released on bail on August 3.
Kadar was acquitted of all charges last year. He on January 23, 2012, sued officer-in-charge Helal Uddin for torturing him and filing false cases against him. The case is still pending.
“After the incident,” Kadar said yesterday, “everyone, especially my teachers, senior students and friends, inspired me to become a BCS cadre and I resolved to become one.”
Kadar completed his master’s from Dhaka University in December last year, but did not take any job in order not to hamper his preparations for the BCS exams.
“I concentrated on my studies to become a first-class cadre. Today I am happy because I have achieved that,” he observed.
Anisur Rahman, one of Kadar’s friends, told The Daily Star, “We are pleased that Kadar has landed the job. However, we would be happier if he became a police officer.”
He added, “As a police officer, he could work to stop recurrence of such incidents.”