HC directs judicial inquiry into Barisal apprentice lawyer’s death
The police official insisted that Rezaul tell the names of two drug dealers in the area, but when the latter said he did not know their names, he was picked up by the police
The High Court has directed a judicial inquiry into the death of apprentice lawyer Rezaul Karim in Barisal three days after he was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) of police.
A virtual HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order after hearing a writ filed by Rezaul Karim's father on Wednesday.
Lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir stood in favour of the plaintiff in the court while Deputy Attorney General Md Sarwar Hossain Bappi represented the state.
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Shishir Monir said: "Earlier, a Barisal court directed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to probe into the incident."
On Wednesday, the High Court reversed the decision and issued directive to Barisal Chief Metropolitan Magistrate to conduct a judicial inquiry into the death of the apprentice lawyer.
On 5 January, a case was filed against DB Sub-inspector Mohiuddin Ahmed in connection with the death of Rezaul Karim in police custody.
Rezaul Karim's father Yunus Munshi filed the case with Barisal Metropolitan Judicial Magistrate's Court.
According to the case statement, SI Mohiuddin arrested Rezaul from in front of a tea stall on Hamid Khan Road in Ward No. 24 of Barisal city around 8pm on 29 December 2020.
The police official insisted that Rezaul tell the names of two drug dealers in the area, but when the latter said he did not know their names, he was picked up by the police and later shown arrested on charges of finding an injection drug in his pocket.
Rezaul was subjected to torture and later sent to Barisal Central Jail as he was critically injured, said the case statement.
When his condition deteriorated in the prison, Rezaul was admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barisal on 1 January and died at the hospital on 2 January night.
The Barisal court ordered the Police Bureau of Investigation to investigate.
After an appeal to the High Court on 8 February, lawyer Shishir Monir said: "The allegations are against the police, who have also been tasked with the responsibility of investigation. So, it is likely that the plaintiff will not get justice."
"For this reason, an application had been made to the High Court seeking its directive for a judicial inquiry."
