HC asks govt to probe alleged RAB involvement

The High Court (HC) has directed the government to form a seven-member probe body to investigate the alleged involvement of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab)-11 in abduction and murder of seven people, including Narayanganj City Corporation panel mayor Nazrul Islam.
In a suo moto order, a HC bench asked the government to form the committee headed by an additional secretary of Ministry of Public Administration to probe the Narayanganj tragedy.
The HC bench comprising Justice Md Rezaul Haque and Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore passed the order on Monday. Two officials each, not below the rank of deputy secretary, from the ministries of public administration, law, and home will be included in the seven-member enquiry committee, which will start investigation immediately, it said.
The HC order further said the probe committee will start functioning after receiving its order and report on compliance through the office of the Attorney General.
It also directed the government not to include any representative from Rab in the investigation.
The HC bench asked the director general of Rab to conduct a departmental enquiry to find out whether any of the Rab personnel is involved in the incidents of abduction and killing.
It ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to involve the criminal investigation (CID) along with the detective branch (DB) of police to investigate the case filed in connection with the incidents in Narayanganj.
The IGP has also been asked to submit a report on the progress of compliance to the HC in seven days through the Attorney General’s office.
The court also asked the IGP to ensure protection and security to the victims’ family members and the witnesses of the incidents.
Meanwhile, the authorities of Rab yesterday formed a high-level committee to investigate the allegation that its members killed NCC councillor Nazrul Islam in exchange of Tk 6 crore.
Aftab Uddin, Additional Director General (Administration) of the elite force, has been made the chief of the probe body, Wing Commander Habibur Rahman, Director of Legal and Media Wing of RAB told The New Nation yesterday.
Earlier, Shahidul Islam, the father-in-law of deceased panel mayor and councilor Nazrul Islam, publicly alleged that Nazrul was abducted by some Rab-11 personnel in exchange of Tk 6 crore taken from another councillor Nur Hossain, prime accused in the killing, and Siddhirganj upazila unit Awami League general secretary Yasin.
Islam made the allegation while talking to journalists at Narayanganj Rifles Club on Sunday.
“As specific allegations have been raised and different media are making it public boldly, the probe committee has been formed for the public interest as well as to make it clear to the people of the country,” said Habibur Rahman.
Asked, Wing Commander Habibur Rahman said, all three other members of the committee will be from Rab. The probe body has been asked to submit its report within the shortest possible time and departmental action would be taken against those found guilty,” he added.