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any political party, but no one has the right to kill him for his ideology.”

The family said they spent the night searching for him through Madhukhali Police Station and the Faridpur DB office, only learning of his death when Faridpur Medical College Hospital contacted them yesterday morning.

His mother, Khadija Akter, said no narcotics were found during the search, though police later claimed cannabis was recovered.

“My innocent and healthy son was taken away and tortured to death in DB custody. I want justice,” she said.

Faridpur DB Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Alamgir Hossain rejected the allegation, saying Ishtiaq was detained with 100 grams of cannabis and brought to the DB office around 3:00am yesterday.

“He offered Fajr prayers, had breakfast, and soon after fell ill. He was first taken to Faridpur General Hospital and then to Faridpur Medical College Hospital, where he died around 8:00am while undergoing treatment.”

He said officers treated Ishtiaq “politely and cordially”.

Faridpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Nazrul Islam gave a similar account. “We have initially learned that he may have died due to a brain haemorrhage. We have also confirmed that there were no injury marks on his body. No assault or mistreatment took place while he was in police custody.”

The SP added that an internal inquiry would be conducted into the incident.

Faridpur Medical College Hospital Ward Master Md Atiar Rahman said that members of the DB police brought Ishtiaq to the hospital around 6:00am yesterday. “He died while undergoing treatment at 7:57am. A CT scan of his head revealed a cerebral haemorrhage.”

Asked whether there were any injury marks on Ishtiaq’s body, Atiar Rahman said, “I personally saw the body and found no visible signs of injury.”

Madhukhali Police Station OC Sukdeb Roy said a case under the Narcotics Control Act was filed against Ishtiaq by DB Sub-Inspector Ahaduzzaman.

Police sources said the DB operation was led by Sub-Inspector (SI) Md Ahaduzzaman and SI Md Motahar Ali, with Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Md Hajikul Islam, constables Moniruzzaman, Farhad Hossain Mia, Rakibul Islam and female constable Champa Haldar also participating. The vehicle was driven by Md Sabuj Molla.

ASK CONDEMS

Meanwhile, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) in a statement yesterday expressed deep concern and said the death of a young man in state custody raises serious questions in the public mind.

“State custody must never become a place that endangers life. Rather, protecting the right to life is a fundamental responsibility of the state,” said the rights organisation.

It added that, as a signatory to various international human rights instruments, Bangladesh is responsible for ensuring the safety and lives of people in custody.

ASK called for an impartial judicial investigation to determine the actual cause of death and demanded the release of CCTV footage, security for the victim’s family, legal assistance, and accountability for those responsible.