Momen: SI Akbar is a disgrace to the police force

Published at 07:17 pm October 20th, 2020

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen addressing the media after visiting recently slain Rayhan Ahmed’s home in Sylhet on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 Dhaka Tribune

SI Akbar will be brought back home if he is found to have fled the country, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen assures victim’s family in Sylhet

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said that suspended sub-inspector (SI) Akbar Bhuiyan – the Bandarbazar police outpost officer who was suspended following the recent death of Rayhan in police custody in Sylhet – is a matter of shame and disgrace to the police.

The minister also said that Akbar, who is currently on the run and is rumoured to have left the country, would be brought back if he was found to have fled the country.

The foreign minister was speaking while visiting the residence of the slain Rayhan Ahmed in Sylhet’s Akhalia area on Tuesday.

“All the law enforcement agencies are working to arrest Akbar,” said Momen, adding that he would be caught soon.

“Akbar is a matter of shame and disgrace for the police. Besides, there are good and bad people in the police force as well.

“Akbar will definitely face trial,” the minister added.

“Everyone, including the prime minister, wants justice for Rayhan. Akbar will be brought back home if he is found to have fled the country,” said the minister. However, the minister added that he thought Akbar was in the country “as we have issued a red alert at the borders.”

Meanwhile, a police van came under attack as brickbats were hurled at it by protestors at a human chain demanding justice for Rayhan in Sylhet’s Zero Point area at around 11am on Tuesday.

On October 11, Rayhan died in police custody following torture, as alleged by his family. Police denied the allegation and said Rayhan had been caught by locals while he was engaged in a mugging and was lynched.

Police said they found the man wounded in a mob beating and took him to a hospital, where he died.

However, the victim's mother said Rayhan had called her from an unknown number at 4:23am and told her that police had taken him to Bandarbazar police outpost and were demanding Tk10,000 for his release.

Earlier at midnight on October 12, Rayhan’s wife Tahmina Akhter Tanni filed the case with Kotwali Police Station. But none was made accused in the case. The case had been transferred to the PBI in light of demands from the family, police said.