3.6 Some Successful Suo Moto Cases
Complaint no. Suo Moto Dha-28/22
On 20th August 2022, media reported about death of Sumon Sheikh, in Hatirjheel
police station. Victims wife complained that Sumon died of the torture by police. She
said that police asked 5 Lakh taka as bribe. As they got late in reaching the thana, police
said them to go to the court. After returning from court, they came to know that Sumon
died in custody. Police showed them CCTV footage but Sumon’s wife couldn’t find
any sign of committing suicide. On the other hand, dome of morgue informed that they
found sign of suicide. Two polices were suspended in this incident. NHRC sent letter
to Public Security Division of Ministry of Home Affairs to identify the persons who
were responsible for this and ensure their punishment as per Torture and Death in
Custody (Prevention) Act 2013.
Complaint No. Suo Moto Dhaka-30/22
Media reported that Police in plain clothes put yaba pills into a pedestrian’s pocket and
showed him arrested in a drug case. The incident took place in Khilkhet and was
recorded by a camera of Ekattor TV, a private television channel. NHRC sent letter to
Public Security Division of Ministry of Home Affairs to clarify the following queries,
release the victim, lodge case and take action against the perpetrators.
a) There is a high court direction that police cannot arrest anyone in plain clothes.
Despite this, why SI Mahbubul Alam went for anti-drug operation in plain clothes?
b) Did SI and his Sources of pallabi thana followed the process of directing operation
in the area outside of their jurisdiction?
c) Why victim was detained even after proved innocent as showed in media footage?
d) Does the concerned department lodge any case against the police officials who are
involved in this crime?
Complaint No. Suo Moto Dha-32/22
On 18 December 2022 media reported that populous city Dhaka ranked top in the list
of world’s cities of polluted air. AQI score of Dhaka was 278 on 18th December in the
morning. NHRC sent letter to Department of Environment to make an inquiry
committee incorporating an expert who has expertise on identifying the main sources
of air pollution, prepare report about the real scenario and send it to NHRC. Along with
this, NHRC also sent letter to CEOs of both Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka
South City corporation to take action so that construction materials are not kept here
and there in the road. Also, the NHRC sent letter to the Chairman of BRTA to keep
transport smoke under control.
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