NHRC issues ordered to investigate the incident of physical attacked on human rights lawyer in police custody.

Dhaka, April 15, 2012 

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Bangladesh has been issued an order to investigate the incident of physical assault on Advocate Shahanur Islam, founding secretary general of JusticeMakers Bangladesh and also member of DhaKa Bar Association and Bangladesh Bar Council by the police official in Mohammadpur police
custody under Dhaka metropolitan police. NHRC asked to the senior secretary of home ministry to submit the report after proper investigation forming a three member’s enquiry committee comprising a at least a deputy secretary of home ministry, a high level police official and a representative from human rights non government organization nominated by the aggressive party. The ordered was issued under sign of Mrs. Shamim Ahammad, director with endorsement of Mr. Kazi Riyajul Haque, full-time member of National Human Rights Commission on April 24, 2012.

According to complaint, Advocate Shahanur Islam, founding secretary general of JusticeMakers Bangladesh and also member of Bangladesh Bar Council and Dhaka Bar Association received numerous threats for life from different unknown person through mobile phone to withdraw the case filed against nine prison and police officials including jail superintendent of Naogaon district prison centre and officer in charge of Badalgachhi police station with the learned judicial magistrate court in Naogaon district alleging to take bribe, torture in police custody and death due to negligence.

On April 03, 2012 around at 7.30 pm Mr. Islam along with Advocate Mohammd Alamgir, founding vice chairman of JusticeMakers Bangladesh and also member of Bangladesh Bar Council and Dhaka Bar Association went to the Mohammadpur police station under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to file a general diary to ensure his physical security.

Mr. Islam submitted a written application to the duty officer of Mohammadpur police station Mr. Yusuf and requested him to register a general diary stating about his current threats. But, the duty office threw the paper to opposite side of his table mentioning that he would not register any general diary regarding connecting to the police. Then, Mr. Islam requested him again to read the whole statement carefully and again asked him registered the general diary politely. At this stage Mr. Yusuf shouted to Mr. Islam using filthy language including “beyadop” and asked him to get out from the room becoming angry as fire again rejecting to register the general diary. Then, Mr. Islam asked him to give written statement for the reason of rejection to register the GD. Suddenly, Mr. Yusub being violent jumped one side of the table standing up from his chair and pushed Mr. Islam shouting that he would arrest Mr. Islam and the he grabbed the color of the shirt of Mr. Islam and tried to put him in too the lock up of the said police station.

In this time, Mr. Islam released from the sub Inspector Mohammad Yusuf’s ferocious paw by interferes of Advocate Mohammad Alamgir. Finally, the duty officer registered the general diary being Mohammadpur police station GD number 261 dated 03.04.12 and assigned to sub inspector Afjal Hossain to investigate the incident of threats received by Mr. Islam.

Later, Mr. Islam submitted an oral allegation Officer in Charge (OC) of Mohammadpur police station against the SI Md. Yusuf demanding his proper punishment. But the OC did not take any action against the perpetrator. Rather he tried to compromise the matter being apologized on behalf of the sub inspector confessing about the involvement of such heinous incident in presence of Mohd Jahangir Alam, adviser of JusticeMakers Bangladesh and also chief of crime division, united news of Bangladesh (UNB).

On April 04, 2012 Mr. Islam filed a complaint to the National Human Rights Commission demanding the exemplary punishment of the perpetrator who was directly and indirectly involved with this violalation of human rights as well as ensure his physical & psychological integrity.