Faridpur Sadar DB chief withdrawn over 'custodial death' of Chhatra League activist

District police cite “administrative reasons” for the decision

The chief of the Detective Branch (DB) police’s Faridpur Sadar Zone has been withdrawn following the death of Chhatra League activist and law student Mirza Ishtiaq Ahmed Pranta in custody.

District police chief (SP) Md Nazrul Islam ordered the withdrawal on Tuesday, citing “administrative reasons”, said Additional Superintendent of Police Fatema Islam.

Officer Syed Md Alamgir Hossain was ordered to join Faridpur Police Lines by 1pm.

Police said detectives detained 24-year old Pranta with “100 grams of marijuana” in Madhukhali’s Gondardia village on Saturday evening.

Later, he was taken to Madhukhali Police Station before being moved to Faridpur town on Sunday morning, where he was kept in DB custody.

Hours later, his relatives received news of his death at Faridpur Medical College Hospital.

The family accused police of custodial torture. However, police refuted the allegation, saying Pranta had fallen ill in custody and died while undergoing treatment at the hospital.