Dhaka: The High Court Tuesday warned it would “not tolerate” any more custodial death as the court is oath-bound to protect people’s right to life under the Constitution.

An HC bench comprising justices AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury and Mohammad Delwar Hossain also ordered the attorney-general's office and other officials concerned to be cautious in carrying out the court order so that no more custodial death takes place.

The HC warning came during hearing on a writ petition regarding the death of Mohammad Manik, an accused of a theft case, in police custody in Chittagong on May 11.

The court, however, acquitted Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner M Muniruzzaman of the contempt-of-court charge brought in the case.

The division bench on May 23 issued the contempt-of-court rule against him for not appearing before the court on the day as per its directive.

Muniruzzaman Tuesday appeared before the bench and offered unconditional apology. He also told the court that his office has suspended the police officer responsible for the death of Manik.

In response to a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), a human rights organisation, the court on May 12 directed the police commissioner of Chittagong to submit a report to it by May 23 as to whether the police have taken any step against the incident of death in accordance with the criminal procedure code or any other law.

BDST: 05: 26 Hrs, June 1, 2010.
JA/MS/SMS/MUA