Another cop arrested over custodial death of Rayhan

Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) on Friday night arrested constable Harunur Rashid in connection with the death of Rayhan Ahmed in police custody at Bandar Bazar outpost in Sylhet.

A court of Sylhet Metropolitan Magistrate Sharmin Khanam Nila granted a five-day remand for Constable Harunur Rashid after police produced him in front of it on Saturday, said Amulya Kumar Chowdhury, assistant commissioner (prosecution) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP).

Earlier on October 20, another constable Titu Chandra Das was placed on a five-day remand, over the incident, which was completed on October 23. He will also be produced in court on October 25.

Both constables were temporarily suspended after the death of Rayhan.

Rayhan Ahmed, who was beaten to death on October 11, in police custody at the Bandar Bazar police outpost, had 111 injury marks and two of his nails were pulled off, according to the autopsy report.

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Rayhan died in police custody following the brutal torture, according to his family members. 

However, police denied the allegation saying he was caught by locals while mugging and was lynched. Police said they had found Rayhan wounded from the mob lynching and then taken him to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

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 Bhuiyan, and three constables – Harunur Rashid, Towhid Miah, and Titu Chandra Das – were suspended.