Kishoreganj, Bangladesh: The death of 21-year-old Hriday Rabi Das, a Hindu barber from the marginalized and at-risk Das community—a Dalit group—has brought allegations of custodial torture by the Bangladesh Army to the forefront, igniting widespread outrage and raising questions about systemic abuse against minorities.
Hriday was reportedly beaten by local Muslim clerics before being handed over to the Army following a dispute over his relationship with a 16-year-old Muslim girl. Witnesses and family members claim that Hriday was brutally assaulted and interrogated in custody, ultimately succumbing to his injuries at Abdul Hamid Medical College Hospital in the early hours of November 16, 2024.
The Incident
On November 15, 2024, Hriday and his cousin Shakil were summoned to a club in Noyabad Bhuiyan Bazar by community leaders, including Union Parishad Chairman Mostafa Kamal and local Muslim clerics. Testimonies reveal that Hriday and Shakil were interrogated and severely beaten by the clerics over Hriday’s alleged relationship with a 16-year-old Muslim girl.
Later that evening, the two were handed over to the Karimganj Army Camp. According to Shakil’s testimony to HRCBM, they were further assaulted during the transfer, and upon arrival at the camp, they were separated. “They took Hriday into another room. I could hear faint sounds of shouting and beating. When I saw him again, he was unconscious,” Shakil recounted, his own body marked with visible bruises.
Medical Negligence and Death
At approximately 2:15 AM on November 16, Hriday was rushed to Abdul Hamid Medical College Hospital. Doctors noted signs of severe physical trauma, including multiple bruises and internal injuries, consistent with custodial abuse. Despite their efforts, Hriday succumbed to his injuries within an hour.
Family members stated that the Army refused to grant them access to Hriday while he was in custody. “We begged to see him, but they kept turning us away. By the time we saw him at the hospital, he was no longer alive,” said his father, Jugesh Rabi Das.
Family Under Pressure
Since Hriday’s death, his family has reported being under implicit pressure. According to HRCBM, the family has received repeated visits from local officials and Army personnel, who maintain a polite tone but subtly convey a message of silence.
Adding to their anguish, the case filed at the local police station lists the perpetrators as “unknown,” despite the family and witnesses identifying specific individuals involved in Hriday’s initial assault. Activists and legal experts have criticized this as a deliberate attempt to obscure the truth and protect those responsible.
HRCBM has been actively supporting the family by advocating for justice and raising awareness about Hriday’s tragic death. However, when HRCBM requested the family to hold a vigil in Hriday’s memory, the Bangladesh Army subtly warned them against organizing or participating in any such event, citing “community peace” as a pretext. This implicit intimidation has left the family feeling isolated and fearful, unable to openly mourn their loss or pursue justice without facing further pressure.
A Pattern of Systemic Abuse
The incident involving Hriday is part of a broader pattern of violence and impunity in Bangladesh.
Chittagong (Hazarilane, September 2024): Army personnel were accused of attacking Hindu neighborhoods allegedly looting properties and physically assaulting residents. Click here for details.
Dhaka (Shankharibazar, October 2024): Over 100 individuals were injured during attacks on Durga Puja processions by joint forces. Click here for details.
Systemic Custodial Torture: Cases like Hriday’s echo previous incidents involving false charges and brutal torture of Hindu youth such as Utsav Mondal and Hridhay Paul, where the Army allegedly played a complicit role. Click here for details.
Demands for Justice
Activists, community leaders, and HRCBM have demanded an impartial investigation into Hriday’s death and all cases of systemic custodial torture.
“This is not an isolated case but a part of a larger narrative of state-sponsored violence and oppression against marginalized minorities in Bangladesh,” said an HRCBM representative. “We demand justice for Hriday and immediate protection for vulnerable communities.”
