ASHULIA: A tea-stall owner died early Thursday allegedly because of excessive torture in police custody in Savar industrial area, on outskirt of capital Dhaka.

The deceased was identified as Ripon, 30.

Victim’s relatives alleged that Ripon was beaten to death by the police at Ashulia thana at 12:00am Thursday, but police claimed that the man died in road accident.

Ripon’s wife Sathi Akter told banglanews, “Her husband came to Nabinagar bus stand on Wednesday night to receive her there; at that time, Ashulia thana Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Anwar Hossain detained them and beat, later police took Ripon to the thana by pick-up van.”

Victim’s younger brother Jewel alleged that ASI Anwar allegedly demanded money for releasing his brother through a phone call by another person.

“As we found no whereabouts of Ripon at the thana, we went to the bus stand where the ASI told us that my brother died in a road accident at 11:45pm Wednesday,” said Jewel.

Denying the allegation, police at Ashulia thana said, “Ripon was injured after a truck ran over him in nearby Bishmail area and succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital.”

Hospital’s Dr Kawshik and nurse Tania, however, said Ripon died half an hour before he was admitted there.

Ashulia thana ASI Azharul Islam, who prepared the inquest report at the hospital, denied to make comments on the reasons of the death.

Ashulia thana Officer-In-Charge Sheikh Badrul Islam told banglanews, “Legal actions would be taken, if any of police members’ involvement found in the killing after investigation.”

BDST: 1220 HRS MAY 22, 2014