Cop withdrawn over youth’s alleged custodial death in Lalmonirhat

A policeman was withdrawn from duty on Friday in connection with the death of a 25-year-old RMG worker in police custody in Lalmonirhat, an official said.

The action was taken against Halim, sub-inspector (SI) of Lalmonirhat Sadar police station.

He was attached to the police line, confirmed Shah Alam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Lalmonirhat Sadar police station.

Also read:Lalmonirhat: 25-yr-old dies in police custody, locals block highway

Earlier, Robiul Islam Khan, RMG worker in Lalmonirhat, died allegedly in police custody on Thursday night.

Robiul and another man were arrested by the police on charges of gambling at a fair in the Mahendranagar Bangla Bazar area on the occasion of Pahela Boishakh, according to his family members.

Robiul had an altercation with some cops while being dragged into a police van as he insisted that he was innocent, they claimed.

"He was badly beaten up by the cops for refusing to enter the police van. He had sustained injuries, which eventually led to his death," said a family member of the deceased.

Additional superintendent of Lalmonirhat Police Rabiul Islam, however, denied the allegation of custodial torture.

"The two people were arrested by a police team from the fair on a tip-off. But Robiul fell sick on the way to the local police station and he was soon rushed to Sadar Hospital. He died while being shifted to Rangpur Medical College and Hospital,” he said.

When contacted, OC Shah Alam said, "We are waiting for the autopsy report of the deceased."

As the news of the death spread, the agitated locals blocked the Lalmonirhat-Rangpur highway in the early hours of Friday and demanded the punishment of the sub-Inspector of Sadar police station.