Committee to identify persons who helped SI Akbar to flee

A three-member committee has been formed to identify individuals who helped sub-inspector (SI) Akbar Bhuiyan -- the Bandarbazar police outpost officer who was suspended following the recent death of Rayhan in police custody in Sylhet -- reportedly leave the country.

The committee, led by an assistant inspector general (AIG), was formed by Police Headquarters in Dhaka on Monday, according to Police Headquarters AIG (Media) Md Sohel Rana.

He said: “The committee has been directed to submit a report within five working days.” 

Also Read: Suspended SI Akbar was financially affiliated with muggers, drug dealers

Akbar, the prime accused in a case filed over the death of Rayhan Ahmed at Bandarbazar police outpost, has been absconding for the last eight days. 

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has been investigating the case.

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 mugging and was lynched.

Also Read: PBI: SI Akbar person of interest, barred from leaving country

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.

Also Read: Sylhet Custodial Death: Suspended SI Akbar goes missing

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 following the demand of the family, police said.