Locals blocked the Sylhet-Sunamganj highway for half an hour at Akhalia area after a young man died allegedly in police custody in Sylhet city on Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Rayhan Ahmed, 34, a resident of Akhalia in Sylhet city, UNB reports.
Victim’s family alleged that Rayhan was beaten to death in police custody while the law enforcers denied the allegation and said angry mob beat him to death suspecting him of robbery.
The victim’s mother said Rayhan had called her from an unknown number at 4:23am and said that the lawmen took him to Bandarbazar police out-post and demanded tk 10,000 for his release.
Rayhan’s uncle rushed to free him with Tk 5,000, but the policemen rejected the money and asked him to come in the morning instead after arranging Tk 10,000.
The victim’s uncle then went back to Bandarbazar police out-post at 9:00am when police said Rayhan fell sick and was taken to hospital at 7:00am.
After rushing to hospital he came to know that Rayhan was already dead and his body had been sent for post-mortem examination.
Rayhan’s uncle said, “Rayhan was killed in police torture, his body bore numerous wound marks.”
Meanwhile, police earlier said Rayhan was caught by locals of Kastghar area while a robbery taking place and was lynched following his capture.
Soumen Moitra, inspector of Sylhet Kotwali Police Station said no written complaint has been filed over the matter.
Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) Jotirmoy Sarkar said they are investigating the allegation.
“Action will be taken if involvement of any police is found with the matter,” he said.
