A Writ Petition was filed in May on the High Court division of Bangladesh Supreme Court against the death of Sultana Jasmin under RAB custody. ASK has become a party to the writ petition.

Sultana Jasmine (45), an office assistant at Chandipur Union Land Office under Naogaon Sadar upazila, died in RAB custody on 24 March 2023. She was arrested on March 22 on the accusation of hacking a Facebook ID and job scam using that account. Enamul Haque, Joint Secretary, Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner’s office, filed a complaint against Jasmine and another person namely, Al Amin. Allegedly, Jasmine and Al Amin hacked Enamul Haque’s Facebook ID, offered jobs to a number of people, and scammed money from the individuals using this method.

Four hours after the arrest, RAB took Jasmine to Naogaon Sadar Hospital; afterward, she was sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, where she took her last breath on the same day while under treatment. Jesmin’s family alleged that she was tortured in RAB custody and they were not even allowed to see her while she was at the death bed.

After her death, it was discovered that Enamul Haque had filed a case under the Digital Security Act (DSA) against Jasmine and her alleged accomplice Al Amin at Rajpara police station on 23 March.

ASK conducted a fact-finding investigation immediately following the media reports. ASK hold a press conference on 29 March 2023, expressing its concern and condemnation over this grievous issue, the organization has demanded the formation of an independent inquiry commission to identify those responsible for her death. A Writ Petition (Writ Petition No. 4050 of 2023) was filed on the High Court division in May and ASK has been an added party to this.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has pulled 11 of its personnel, including a major from active duty and attached them to the headquarters over the death of Sultana Jasmine in custody in Naogaon.