BNP man’s death in custody demands proper probe

It is concerning to learn that Shamsuzzaman Dablu, 52, general secretary of the BNP’s Jibannagar municipal unit in Chuadanga, died while in army custody supposedly during a late-night joint forces operation, a fact acknowledged by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Any death in custody, regardless of the allegations involved, raises grave constitutional and legal concerns.

The sharply conflicting narratives provided by the army and eyewitnesses about the incident demand scrutiny. According to the ISPR, Dablu died after “falling ill” during the joint forces operation on Monday. The ISPR press release also states that he was detained from a pharmacy near an upazila health complex on allegations of possessing illegal weapons. It further claims that the patrol team later searched the pharmacy and recovered a 9mm pistol, one magazine, and four rounds of ammunition. However, two local BNP leaders and eyewitnesses have alleged that Dablu was tied up, gagged, and beaten for between one-and-a-half to two hours at the BNP party office before being taken to hospital. Family members have also alleged that he was tortured to death.

These divergent accounts make an independent investigation imperative. According to our report, the Chuadanga superintendent of police confirmed that the local police had not been informed about the army operation. This is quite puzzling and raises procedural questions about oversight, coordination, and accountability in internal security operations. We welcome the army’s immediate withdrawal of the personnel involved and its promise of a high-level investigation. But while an internal probe is necessary, it will not, on its own, be sufficient to ensure public confidence.

Protests by local residents and BNP activists indicate that this has become a matter of broad public concern. Human rights organisations Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) and Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF) have described the incident as a grave violation of human rights, emphasising that no member of the security forces is above the law and that the state bears an absolute responsibility to protect those in custody. According to ASK, 29 people were killed extrajudicially or died as a result of torture in custody between January and November last year.

We therefore call for a transparent and independent investigation, not just an internal military inquiry. The army must also fully cooperate with any such investigation, including by producing all personnel involved, operational records, medical reports, and CCTV footage, if available. This is essential not only for justice but also for upholding the army’s public image and institutional credibility. Accountability must be visible and lawful, reinforcing that the rule of law applies to all institutions. Failure to act decisively risks normalising deaths in custody—a chilling phenomenon reminiscent of Awami League-time authoritarian trends, and one that must be unequivocally rejected by any future elected government.