Rapid Action Battalion-14: Woman dies in RAB custody, family claims killed by torture

Woman dies in Bhairab RAB custody, family claims killed by torture

A 45-year-old woman died on Friday morning due to what her grieving husband said was torture in Rab custody in Bhairab, Kishoreganj.

Suraiya Khatun, her son Taijul Islam, and husband Azizul Islam were detained by a Rab-14 team from in front of Nandail Police Station in Mymensingh around 6:30pm on Thursday in a case filed under Woman and Child Repression Prevention Act. The law enforcers later released Azizul and took the others to a Rab office in Bhairab, Kishoreganj. 

The next morning, she was brought dead to Bhairab Upazila Health Complex, according to Health and Family Planning Officer Bulbul Ahmed. Azizul and Suraiya's brother-in-law Abdul Awal said she was in good health and could not have died of natural causes. Both of them alleged that the mother of four died due to torture.

Major Ashraful Kabir, commander of Rab-14 in Bhairab, said the hot weather was partly to blame.

Commander Arafat Islam, director (legal and media) at Rab headquarters, said the cause of death will be investigated. "Rab will follow the legal procedure. Besides, the actual cause will be detected through medical examination," he added. 

Suraiya's husband Azizul said, "My wife died due to torture. I will file a case. I want justice for this murder." Suraiya and Taijul, 27, were accused of torturing and killing Taijul's wife Rekha Akter over dowry.

According to the case filed against Suraiya, Taijul and Rekha were married two years ago. Suraiya and the other family members often abused Rekha who died of torture by her in-laws on April 26. According to the case filed against Suraiya, Taijul and Rekha were married two years ago. Suraiya and the other family members often abused Rekha who died of torture by her in-laws on April 26.

Rekha's mother filed the case on May 2.