Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), one of Bangladesh’s most prominent human rights organizations, has voiced alarm over the deaths of two detainees in law enforcement custody in Sylhet and Moulvibazar, saying the incidents represent a grave threat to the constitutional rights of citizens.
Two Deaths in Custody Within Days
According to media reports cited by ASK, the first case involved 24-year-old murder suspect Tanvir Chowdhury. He was arrested by members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-9) in Jaintapur, Sylhet, on September 13 and taken to the RAB-9 office.
Authorities later claimed that Chowdhury took his own life by wrapping a blanket around his neck on the night of September 14. His body was subsequently recovered from custody.
A second death occurred in nearby Moulvibazar on September 15, when police discovered the body of 50-year-old murder accused Mokaddus Mia hanging inside a cell at the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) detention facility.
ASK Condemns Rights Violations
In a statement issued on September 16, ASK said these incidents underscore the systemic risks detainees face under the watch of Bangladesh’s security agencies. “Deaths in police custody have become increasingly frequent in recent times,” the group said, adding that such events are a “direct violation of human rights” and a reflection of “a serious lack of accountability within law enforcement.”
The statement warned that recurring custodial deaths erode public trust in the justice system, while also undermining the constitutional guarantee of the right to life and human dignity.
Concerns Over Lack of Oversight
ASK expressed particular concern about the failure to follow standard procedures for evidence collection in such cases. “Authorities frequently claim the lack of CCTV cameras in important facilities like police lockups,” the statement noted, describing this absence as deeply troubling.
The organization said this failure raises serious questions about institutional transparency and oversight, as the lack of monitoring makes independent verification of official claims virtually impossible.
Calls for Independent Investigations
ASK reiterated its longstanding demand for every custodial death to be investigated thoroughly, independently, and impartially. The group urged that those responsible be held accountable and face punishment, stressing that “effective measures must also be taken to prevent recurrence in the future.”
The rights group concluded that deaths in custody “are never acceptable under any circumstances” and reminded the state of its constitutional duty to protect the lives and dignity of all citizens.
