Dhaka: The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) strongly condemned the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) authorities for the disappearance of Salim Miah, a resident of Kapasia, allegedly after his arrest by a team of the awe-inspiring elite force.
Selim reportedly went missing after Rab men arrested him on 19 February 2010 from Kapasia area under the jurisdiction of Kapasia police station in Gazipur district.
A Habeas Corpus writ petition was filed by Mrs. Nazma Begum, wife of Salim Miah, with the High Court Division of the Supreme Court regarding the disappearance of her husband.
The petition was supplemented and supported by another petition from Mohammad Ali Hossain, who was also arrested along with Salim.
Ali described the incident like this: “That day we didn’t do anything wrong, but the Rab personnel came to us and blindfolded us with black cloth and carried us to an unknown place. At the night they interrogated us but found nothing. At that night they severely tortured Salim with three other arrested persons. They also threatened to file a murder case against us.”
On 15 April 2010, a Division Bench comprising Justice A H M Shamsuddin Chowdhury and Justice Md. Delwar Hossain heard their petition. On the contrary, the Attorney General's office claimed before the court: "According to our official records the Rapid Action Battalion did not arrest Salim.”
The High Court bench accepted the Habeas Corpus petition after hearing both the parties. The court also directed the Commander of RAB-4 to explain within three weeks as to whether they rounded up any person named Salim Miah.
The RAB-4 unit has not yet given the explanation before the high court. But respective officials informed they would do that “soon”. They wouldn’t say more about the case.
The Asian Human Rights Commission urged immediate government intervention to ensure judicial investigation of the case to spot the whereabouts of Salim and to release him immediately.
AHRC also demanded a rapid prosecution against the personnel involved in that alleged abduction.
BDST: 1445 HRS, 18 May 2010
RS/AK/MUA
