'Attempts to save' top cop's son in hit-and-run case

Some people are 'trying to save' the son of a top police officer who allegedly ran over a man while driving his father's car without a licence in Dhaka.

Zafar Sadique, 23, son of CID's Additional Deputy Inspector General (ADIG) Mozammel Hossain, has already walked free on bail.

Buying house official Mrityunjoy Acharya Mithu, 48, was run over by a car on Thursday at Banani's Chairmanbarhi.

ADIG's son Sadique, who was driving the white private vehicle sporting a 'police' tag, had no driving licence either, police said.

Mithu's brother Ujjal Acharya has filed a case in connection with the incident. He claims there are attempts to hush up the incident.

North South University student Sadique's involvement in the hit-and-run case came to light after a picture of a white car, sporting police tag, went viral on the social media.

He was detained and produced in court.

The ADIG's son has been charged under Section 304 (B) for "causing death by rash driving or riding on a public way".

In the event of a guilty finding, he will have to serve maximum three years in jail or pay a fine or do both.

It is clear that no charge has been brought for driving someone else's vehicle sporting a 'police' tag.

Banani police Sub-Inspector Amirul Islam, who is on the case, said they had sought Sadique's custody until the enquiry was over.

But the plaintiff said the police officer's son had been released on bail.

"I heard Zafar Sadique was granted bail," SI Islam said.

He said, "The vehicle's papers have Mozammel Hossain's name but no driving licence has been produced for Zafar Sadique yet."

Speaking to bdnews24.com, plaintiff Acharya claimed they had refused cash offers to sweep the incident under the rug.

"Police officer Mozammel Hossain, too, tried to cover up by saying 'what is done, cannot be undone’," he alleged.

He said the ADIG had come to their Kazirparha residence on Sunday during his brother's 'Sharddha' or a ritualistic death ceremony.

"He (ADIG Hossain) came to our house suddenly and left after about 10 minutes.

"My two nieces shouted at him, 'your son has killed our father', before breaking down in tears," Acharya said.

He further claimed they had been given a proposal to settle the matter for Tk 300,000 when his brother's body was kept at the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.

"We rejected the proposal. Our family demands Zafar Sadique's punishment for this incident," he added.

Mrittunjoy Acharya Mithu

The ADIG had not responded to bdnews24.com queries since the incident.

bdnews24.com tried to reach the ADIG over phone on Monday night as well. But he did not take calls or answer to text messages.

However, investigation officer SI Islam said, “The investigation will be finished soon and the chargesheet will be submitted.”

Mithu lived in Mirpur’s Kaziparha with his wife and two daughters Aishwariya Acharya Oishee, 12, and Priti Acharya Juthi, 9.

The man was cremated at Postogola crematorium on Saturday.

Ujjal Acharya said Mithu was the one who would take care of his five brothers and sisters being the sole breadwinner in the family.