Hindu youth's suspicious death in police custody sparks debate

A 27-year-old Hindu youth, Durjoy Chowdhury, lost his life on 22 August 2024, Friday morning, under suspicious circumstances while held in police custody at Chakaria Police Station in Cox’s Bazar. Authorities quickly claimed that he had taken his own life, however disturbing content shared on social media show a completely different story.

Durjoy was found with a pair of trousers tied around his neck, hanging from the bar of his prison cell with his feet still touching the ground. The claim of his suicide is under scrutiny and human rights activists are demanding a proper investigation fearing this is just another of a series of extra-judicial killings in Bangladesh.

This is not an isolated incident. Durjoy’s death is a reminder of the long and painful pattern of mysterious deaths in custody, where young lives are lost and justice remains out of reach of ordinary citizens.

SRO would like to draw the attention of the relevant authorities of Bangladesh for a transparent probe into this case and to bring the real culprits to justice.