The demonstrators claimed Shafiqul Islam Shafi, 35, was innocent and died from police torture. They demanded a proper investigation into the incident.

Mohammadpur police arrested Shafi, a night guard at Sobhanbagh New Super Market, suspecting his connection with a robbery of a shop at the market on November 30 and took him to Mohammadpur Police Station on a 3-day remand. He died at Suhrawardi Hospital Thursday night following alleged torture.

His body was then sent to the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) morgue for autopsy.

His family came to know of his death from some reporters when they went to his Rayer Bazar home yesterday noon.

Locals said Shafi has been living at Sultanganj in Rayer Bazar for the last 25 years and has no criminal record. He was known as a gentle and honest man to his neighbours.

His landlady Momtaz Begum said, "Shafi did not pay the rent for the last four months. But I did not insist or demand the rent immediately, knowing well that he was a very honest person and will definitely pay me."

Shafi's wife Shahera Begum said her husband, who had resigned from his job just two weeks back, had three months' salary due. He went to the market to collect the dues on November 30. He was supposed to join a new job on December 1, she added.

The police said they arrested him on Wednesday evening as some shopkeepers at the Sobhanbagh New Super Market alleged his connection with the robbery of Prince Jewellers in the early hours of the day.

Mohammadpur police yesterday evening claimed Shafi admitted to his involvement in the robbery and said the gold was with one Jasim of Agargaon. "We then took him with us to find Jasim. But, on the way he felt serious pain in his chest. So, we took him to the hospital, where he died," the duty officer at Mohammadpur Police Station said.

But DMCH morgue sources said serious injuries had been found in his legs and hands.