Analysis of Decisions of the Higher Judiciary on Arrest and Detention in Bangladesh
In Alhaj Md. Yusuf Ali vs. The State16, the High Court Division
interpreted ‘reasonable suspicion’ in exercising power under
section 54, as a bona fide belief on the part of the police
officer that an offence has already been committed or is
about to be committed. The Court further held that a police
officer arresting a person unjustifiably or otherwise than on
reasonable grounds and bona fide belief renders himself
liable for prosecution under section 220 of the Penal Code. In
BLAST vs. Bangladesh, the court held:
“...Use of the expression ‘reasonable suspicion’ implies
that the suspicion must be based on reasons and
reasons are based on existence of some fact which is
within the knowledge of that person. So when the
police officer arrests a person without warrant, he
must have some knowledge of some definite facts on
the basis of which he can have reasonable suspicion.”
Limitation on Magisterial Power of Remand: Considering
the fact that torture is a routine matter in police remand of
accused, the judiciary has ruled against frequently ordering
remand by police, to prevent its abuse. In a recent case of
Ain-o-Salish Kendra vs Bangladesh,17 the accused Shaibal
Saha Partha was apprehended by plain clothes police, and
after four days he was produced at a police station. The
accused was taken on remand by the police on two
occassions but no confession could be recorded from him.
16
17
22 BLD (2002) 231.
56 DLR (2004) (HCD) p. 620.
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