Man dies hours after arrest

A man died in police custody three hours after his arrest yesterday afternoon in Nasirnagar upazila.

Family members have alleged that Babul Mia, 54, died in hospital after being tortured by police. However, Nasirnagar police claimed Babul had fallen sick on the way to the police station and was taken to the hospital where he died.  

Babul was arrested around 1:45pm and died at 4:45pm. 

Police claimed he was wanted fugitive in a robbery case filed with Bijoynagar Police Station in the district and there was an warrant to arrest him.  

On the contrary, his family members have alleged that a group of plain clothes men took him away but was unable to show any arrest warrant to the neighbouring locals who were present there. 

Officer-In-charge (Investigation) of Nasirnagar Police Station Kabir Ahmed said that Babul fell sick when they were near the police station after his arrest. He was taken to the upazila health complex and died there.  

He added that the body was sent to Brahmanbaria General Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Contacted, the attending and Residential Medical Officer (RMO) of Nasirnagar Upazila Health Complex told The Daily Star that when Babul came to the hospital he said he felt pain on the left side of his chest. 

He was given oxygen but his condition began to deteriorate. He was then referred to Brahmanbaria General Hospital. He died on his way there in the ambulance.