'Drug addict' dies in custody, police claim suicide

KISHOREGANJ, July 10: A warranted accused died by suicide inside the lock-up of Nikli Police Station in Kishoreganj on Thursday, police said.

The deceased, Md Rubel, 21, was wanted in a narcotics case.
According to police, Rubel voluntarily surrendered at Nikli Police Station at around 9:50am on Thursday, after which he was shown arrested and placed in the station lock-up.

At around 11:15am, he was found hanging inside the lock-up after allegedly using his black shirt, which he tied to the iron grille, police said. Police further said, Rubel had long been addicted to drugs, and his physical and mental condition resulting from substance abuse may have contributed to the incident 

Officer-in-Charge Mahbubur Rahman said the lock-up is located in the western section of the police station's old building. He said the steel wire fencing installed above the iron grille had deteriorated over time due to rust, and there was no dedicated guard assigned to monitor the lock-up.

Taking advantage of the unsecured and isolated environment, Rubel is believed to have died by suicide, the OC said.
Assistant Sub-Inspector Shefali Khatun and Constable Delwar were on duty at the time of the incident, police said.

The OC also said CCTV footage did not capture the moment when Rubel removed his shirt.

Police said legal procedures were initiated immediately following the incident in consultation with senior district police officials.

The exact cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem examination and completion of the investigation, the OC added.