Ex-ACC official dies in police custody

A former deputy director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has died in Chattogram police custody.

The official was identified as S M Shahidullah, 67. He died in the Changaon Police Station in Chattogram at around midnight Tuesday.

Shahidullah's death was a planned murder, his family alleges.

His son Nafis Shahid said, "Two plainclothed ASIs from Changaon Police Station came to our home and took my father to the station at around 11:30pm on Tuesday.

"Later we learned that my father was arrested as there was a warrant against him in a case. He had been suffering from long-term heart disease. Police did not let him receive medicine at the station. They later took him to a hospital around midnight."

Nafis Shahid called for an investigation into the matter and punishment of those involved in his father's death.

However, Changaon Police Station Officer in Charge Shairul Islam denied the allegation. He said, "As he was an elderly person, the retired ACC official was brought to my room after the arrest. He suddenly fell ill. His family members gave him medicine.

"Police and the family members took him to a private hospital after his condition deteriorated. The doctor declared him dead there."

Autopsy of the deceased will be performed at the Chattogram Medical College Morgue in the presence of a magistrate, the OC said.

/KN/