Abduction suspect dies in DB's custody

A man, who was detained by detectives in connection with a kidnap on Saturday, died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital yesterday.

The body of Aslam, 45, had numerous bruises, hospital sources said. There were bruises and blood clots in lower parts of his knees and on a wrist.

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Detectives, however, claimed that Aslam fell sick while in custody and was taken to DMCH around 12:30pm. He died at 5:45pm while awaiting some medical tests.

Several DMCH officials told The Daily Star that Inspector of DB Mahbub Hossain, who took Aslam to the hospital, tried to register the death as a normal one. But he failed as the officials insisted that the body had bruises.

The body was later sent to Dhaka Medical College morgue for an autopsy to determine the cause of death. No one claimed the body when the report was filed at 10:00pm.

Abdul Baten, joint commissioner of Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told The Daily Star that they picked up Aslam, his wife Ripa and father-in-law Alal for interrogating them in connection with the kidnapping.

“Aslam was feeling sick yesterday morning and he was taken to Rajarbagh Police Lines Hospital first. Then he was moved to DMCH. We heard that he was a hernia patient. He vomited in the afternoon while being treated at the hospital. He died afterwards,” the DB official claimed.

Asked, Baten denied the allegation of torture on Aslam while he was in DB custody.

“It could not happen. How can he be tortured? His wife and father-in-law were also there,” the DB official added.

Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner (Media) of DMP, said one Nazmul lodged a general diary with Shah Ali Police Station on April 26, mentioning that his brother Niamul was abducted. The family received a phone call from an unknown caller who demanded Tk 1 lakh as ransom for Niamul's release.

A DB team tracked the phone number and found that it was Aslam's cellphone.

Detectives picked up Aslam, his wife and father-in-law from Gazipur on Saturday. His wife and father-in-law were later released, the DC said.

Aslam was the brother-in-law of the complainant, police said.