‘We’ll deliver justice’
The High Court has expressed grave concern and resentment as the state has not filed any case after the death of Sultana Jasmine in Rab custody.
"Her death in law enforcers' custody after sustaining injury in the head has become a burning issue in the country. A case has to be filed in connection with the incident.
"If her family cannot lodge the case, the state has the responsibility of filing one. The people of the country want justice to be delivered on the matter. We will deliver justice," the HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Ahmed Sohel told Assistant Attorney General Md Abul Kalam Khan Daud during a hearing on the issue yesterday.
The bench made the observation on its own initiative (suo motu) after Supreme Court lawyer Manoj Kumar Bhowmik placed a report run by The Daily Star on Sultana's death.
The HC raised some questions about the death of Sultana, who died in the custody of Rapid Action Battalion on March 24.
A union-level land office employee in Naogaon, Sultana suffered brain haemorrhages after being detained by Rab on March 22.
The HC judges questioned why she was arrested, who arrested her, where she was taken to after the arrest, where and under whose presence she was interrogated, who interrogated her, whether she sustained any fresh injury after her arrest and whether any law was violated during her stay in custody.
"After getting complete information, we will start work to ensure justice," Justice Farah Mahbub said.
The bench ordered AAG Abul Kamal to produce relevant papers containing the details of Rab personnel involved in arresting and interrogating Sultana, and her inquest and post-mortem reports before it this morning.
The AAG informed the court that no case was filed in this connection and the body was handed over to the family after an inquest and an autopsy.
Lawyer Manoj Kumar told the HC bench that a case was filed against Sultana under the Digital Security Act more than 31 hours after she was detained, and that she was not produced before any court during this period which is illegal.
He prayed to the HC bench to pass necessary directives on this matter.
The court asked the lawyer to move a writ petition before this court in this regard and fixed today for its hearing and passing orders on the matter.
Meanwhile, different human rights organisations yesterday expressed grave concern over Sultana's death and demanded a fair and neutral probe into the incident.
They also demanded appropriate legal action against those responsible for the death and ensuring their accountability.
In a statement, Ain O Salish Kendra said it is evident from the family's allegation, doctor's statement and media reports that the provisions of the constitution and related laws have been violated in detaining and interrogating Sultana in Rab custody.
Though this is not the first allegation against the law enforcers, allegations of torturing people and deaths in custody are raised very often, the rights body said.
Human Rights Forum Bangladesh in another statement said though the Rab claimed that Sultana died while receiving treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital after suffering a brain haemorrhage, her family members alleged that she died of torture in custody.
The allegations brought by the family have to be looked into and justice must be ensured, it said.
Sultana was detained before a case was filed against her; she was illegally interrogated and police were not informed about the actions which is an example of violation of the constitution, fundamental principle of human rights, Supreme Court directives, and existing laws, the statement added.
Comments