The Manabadhikar Sonskriti Foundation (MSF) has expressed strong condemnation, deep concern, and outrage over the deaths of two people, including a woman, in police custody in Kishoreganj’s Katiadi and Cumilla’s Muradnagar.
In a statement on Tuesday, the MSF stated that allegations of custodial deaths due to police torture are deeply concerning, unacceptable, and a clear violation of human rights.
According to family members, 50-year-old Feroza Begum was detained by law enforcement personnel from Katiadi in Kishorgonj during a joint drive without any arrest warrant. She reportedly fell ill in custody and was later declared dead by doctors after being taken to the Katiadi Upazila Health Complex.
In a separate incident, Sheikh Jewel, a 45-year-old internet service provider and an active BNP activist, died shortly after being detained by police in Muradnagar, Cumilla.
He was reportedly arrested along with four others with 70 yaba pills and later taken to Muradnagar Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.
Family members in both cases alleged that the victims died due to torture in police custody. Police authorities, however, claimed that both individuals died due to illness.
Citing reports, MSF said Feroza was detained from Katiadi municipality area on the night of June 13 despite having no arrest warrant. A family witness claimed she was physically assaulted by a female police member during the arrest. The Upazila Health Officer, Isha Khan, confirmed that she was brought in dead.
On June 19, police detained five people, including Jewel, from Bangra village in Muradnagar with yaba tablets. Police took Jewel to the health complex at around 8:50pm after he reportedly felt unwell in custody. Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Sirajul Islam confirmed that Jewel was brought in dead. The family alleged torture, but Additional Superintendent of Police of Comilla district AKM Kamruzzaman oclaimed Jewel was a known drug user and dealer.
The MSF stressed that ensuring the safety of detainees is a legal responsibility of the law enforcement agencies. MSF demanded an impartial and fair investigation into both incidents and necessary action against those responsible.