Bashir was beaten to death

The Odhikar and the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (Blast) conducted separate investigations which revealed that Bashir was beaten dead on August 16 as he refused to pay money for the release of his son Khalil arrested by Keraniganj police the same day.

According to the investigation reports, a sub-inspector and a constable of Golam Bazar police outpost are responsible for the death of the 65-year-old.

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Police also took signature of Bashir's wife Chanburu on a white paper and filed an unnatural death case, the reports said.

Police arrested Khalil and his four associates on charge of beating a rickshawpuller who allegedly stole a rickshaw of Bashir Mia.

When Bashir went to the police camp and requested them to free his son, police demanded Tk 5,000 for his release, said the Odhikar report, adding that they also beat Bashir on his refusal.

Bashir was immediately rushed to Mitford hospital where the doctors pronounced him dead.

Police sent the body of Bashir to his village home at Char Bhadrasan in Faridpur after the autopsy. They even did not allow his relatives to see the body.

Both the organisations prepared the reports after talking with the relatives and neighbours of the victim.