'Drug Abuse' in Jail: Tufan moved to Kashimpur

Suspended Sramik League leader Tufan Sarkar, accused of raping a college girl in Bogra, has been moved to Kashimpur High Security Jail from Bogra Jail yesterday amid allegations that he abused drugs in prison.

Mozammel Hossain, superintendent of Bogra Jail, told The Daily Star that Tufan was moved to Kashimpur around 1:00pm.

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The jail authorities moved him following media reports that he had been taking Phensidyle in his cell.

According to the reports, Tufan, who has been in Bogra jail since August 6, had been enjoying a regular supply of Phensidyle and the comfort of home-cooked meals.

Mozammel, however, refuting the allegations, said he had never enjoyed any undue privilege in jail. He speculated that the media reports could be based on claims made by his rival group in Sramik League.

Deputy Inspector General (prison) Altab Hossain of Rajshahi range said they have started a probe into the allegations following instructions of the inspector general of prisons.

“We are checking the [Bogra jail] officials' working schedule and jail operations since Tufan was moved there,” he said.