The Manabadhikar Sonskriti Foundation (MSF) has criticized the deaths of two people — including a woman — while in police custody in Kishoreganj’s Katiadi and Cumilla’s Muradnagar, calling the incidents “deeply concerning and unacceptable.”
In a statement on Tuesday, the rights group said allegations that these custodial deaths resulted from police torture constitute a serious human rights violation.
According to family members, 50-year-old Feroza Begum was detained without a warrant during a police raid in Katiadi, Kishoreganj. She was later taken to the Katiadi Upazila Health Complex, where doctors pronounced her dead. A family witness alleged she had been physically assaulted by a female police officer during the arrest.
Separately, Sheikh Jewel, a 45-year-old internet service provider and active BNP activist, died after being detained along with four others in Muradnagar, Cumilla. Police claimed they had seized yaba pills during the arrest and said Jewel fell ill in custody before being declared dead at the Muradnagar Upazila Health Complex. Jewel’s family alleged he was tortured, while police denied this, with Cumilla Additional Superintendent of Police AKM Kamruzzaman stating Jewel was a known drug user and dealer.
MSF underscored that ensuring the safety of detainees is a legal obligation of law enforcement and called for a transparent, impartial investigation into both deaths and appropriate action against those responsible.