Youth 'kills self' in police custody, two cops suspended

A young man has reportedly committed suicide in the custody of Hatirjheel Police Station in the capital of Dhaka.

Rummon Sheikh, 27, who was arrested in a theft case from the capital's Rampura area on Friday, took his own life early Saturday, police and family members said.

Two police members - Hatirjheel Police Station's duty officer sub-inspector (SI) Hemayet Hossain and constable Md Zakaria - over the custodial death.

Tejgaon division deputy police commissioner (DC) HM Azimul Haque told the reporters at the police station tonight. He also said a three-member committee was formed to look into the incident.

He said Hatirjheel police apprehended three people - Al Amin, Sohel Rana, and Anik Hossain - in a case filed over the theft of around Tk 53 lakh of Pureit company of Uniliver on August 15. 

On information gleaned from them and analysis of CCTV footage over the stealing, police identified Rummon and arrested him from their house in Rampura area and seized about Tk 3.13 lakh from there, he said.

Later, he was kept at the custody of the police station, and was supposed to be produced before a court this morning but he committed suicide tying his trouser around neck at around 3:32, the DC added.

The act of suicide was seen in CCTV footage and it was shown to his family members, he also said.

Asked about the family's allegation of beating Rummon in custody, DC Azimul said no such incident happened.

Family members, however, staged demonstration in front of the police station today and alleged negligence of police behind the death.

TT/SU