Suo moto rule against torturing children in custody

Dhaka: The High Court on Monday issued a suo moto rule asking the government why it should not be directed to take measure against people reportedly involved in torturing three children at the Lalbagh Police Station after their arrest.

It also issued the rule asking the government why the torturing of three children should not be declared illegal.

A vacation bench of the HC comprising Justice Hassan Foyes Siddiqui and Justice Anwar-ul Haque issued the rule following a newspaper report published in a national daily under headline ‘Three children tortured in police custody for 6 days’.

Home secretary, inspector general of police, commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, director general of Rapid Action Battalion and Officer-in-Charge of Lalbagh Police Station have been made respondents to the rule within four weeks.

According to the report, Lalbagh police arrested three children on charge of stealing 80 tolas of gold. The children were mercilessly tortured in police custody for six days without any remand, the report said.

The children are: Pakhi Aktar (8), Barek (7) and Mirajul (7).

Advocate ABM Bayejid placed the newspaper report before the court asked the court’s action in this regard.

Posted in: Bangladesh