The case of Ishtiaque Hossain Jonny, who was tortured to death in police custody 11 years ago, serves as a stark reminder that justice delayed is indeed justice denied.

As the family marks the 11th anniversary of his death, they continue to grapple with the emotional and financial toll of a justice system that has failed them. The prolonged wait for a verdict on the appeals filed by the convicted officers illustrates the inadequacies of the legal process in delivering timely justice.

On February 8, 2014, a group of 25 to 26 police officers -- including then sub-inspector of Pallabi Police Station Zahidur Rahman -- raided a house during a wedding ceremony in Pallabi's Irani camp area and picked up Jonny, who was then 28, and his brother Imtiaz Hossain Rocky.

Police informers Sumon and Russell called the law enforcers after Jonny slapped Sumon for stalking and harassing women at the programme. Police then tortured the brothers at the police station, according to the case statement.

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

On September 9, 2020, a Dhaka court sentenced former SI Zahidur and former assistant SIs Qamruzzaman Mintu and Rashedul Islam of Pallabi Police Station to life imprisonment and sentenced police informers Sumon and Russell to seven years in jail.

However, the convicts filed appeals with the High Court challenging the verdict and the family is now awaiting court's adjudication of the appeals.

It is a cruel irony that the only verdict under the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act, 2013, which should have been a landmark case, has instead turned into a protracted struggle for his family. What should have been a beacon of hope has instead become a symbol of despair.

As the legal proceedings drag on, it becomes clear that the judiciary must step up and take decisive action to ensure that victims of custodial violence receive the justice they deserve.

The state cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the suffering of Jonny's family, who have been left in a state of uncertainty while waiting for justice that seems perpetually out of reach. Their plight is a chilling reminder of how the legal system can fail the very people it is meant to protect.

For the family, each day that passes without a resolution is another day of anguish. It is not just Jonny's death that lingers in the air; it is the question of accountability that haunts them.

In the words of Jonny's mother Khurshida Begum, "My son was tortured to death by the law enforcers of Pallabi Police Station. Today [February 9] is his 11th death anniversary. I don't know whether I will be able get justice…"

Jonny's family deserves closure and the assurance that no other family will have to endure such suffering. It is time for the judiciary to act decisively, to demonstrate that justice is not just an ideal but a reality that can and should be achieved.

The time for action is now; the clock has already run too long for Jonny and his family.