A case has been filed against 14 officers of the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) over the alleged torture of a college student in custody.
The student, Nazmul Hossain, a fourth-year Zoology student at Government City College, was arrested during an anti-discrimination student protest.
Following his arrest, Nazmul was reportedly subjected to severe physical abuse by officers, leading to this legal action.
The case was filed by Nazmul’s elder brother, Nazrul Islam, in the Chittagong Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court on Wednesday (18 September).
Judge Md Zakir Hossain accepted the case and ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate the allegations.
The CID has been tasked with submitting a report on the matter by 20 October.
Additionally, the court instructed the police to respond within 14 days on why protection should not be extended to the victim, his family and the plaintiff, according to court official Dipen Dasgupta.
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on 18 July, when Nazmul was participating in the student protest at Shah Amanat Bridge in Chattogram. Police dispersed the protesters charging batons, tear gas, and firing rubber bullets. Nazmul was arrested in good health but was later subjected to brutal beatings, according to the complaint.
The officers reportedly used iron rods and wooden sticks, accusing him of being a member of an extremist group.
Following the torture, Nazmul was taken to Chittagong General Hospital for treatment before being returned to police custody. Later that night, he was transferred to Chittagong Medical Hospital due to his deteriorating condition.
A case was filed against him the following day, and he spent 14 days in jail before being released on bail.
Nazmul’s lawyer, Swarup Kanti Nath, told The Business Standard that the court has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter and stressed the need for accountability in such cases.
“The plaintiff is seeking justice for the alleged abuse his brother endured while in custody”, he added.
