Death in police custody: cop suspended for helping SI Akbar to flee

A policeman has been suspended for helping Sub-Inspector Akbar Hossain Bhuiyan, the in-charge of Bandarbazar police outpost and prime accused in a recent police custody death case, to get away.

He is identified as Sub-inspector Hasan Uddin of the police outpost, Prothom Alo reports quoting BM Ashraf Ullah, additional deputy commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan Police.

"Hasan has been suspended as we found his involvement while investigating into the hiding of SI Akbar. Departmental disciplinary action will be taken against him," he said.

On October 11, a youth - Rayhan Ahmed - died in police custody following torture, his family alleged. However, police denied the allegation and said he was caught by locals while mugging and was lynched.

Police said they had found Rayhan wounded by the mob lynching and took him to a hospital where he died.

On October 12, Rayhan's wife filed a case under the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act 2013 with Sylhet Kotwali Police Station.

Later, an investigation committee was formed, and it found primary evidence of torture. Following the recommendation of the committee, Bandar Bazar outpost in-charge Sub-Inspector Akber Hossain Bhuiya, and three constables – Harunur Rashid, Towhid Miah, and Titu Chandra Das – were suspended.

Also, two assistant sub-inspectors – Ashek Elahi and Kutub Ali – and Constable Sajeeb Hossain were withdrawn.

However, nobody has yet been arrested in the case while prime accused SI Akber has been on the run, according to police.