A case was filed with a local court yesterday against 13 people, including 11 policemen, for allegedly gouging a trader's eyes in the city nearly three weeks ago.

Metropolitan Magistrate Md Shahedul Islam took cognisance of the case and fixed September 17 for passing an order in this regard.

Renu Begum, mother of trader Shahajalal of the city's Khalishpur area, filed the case with the court. Among the accused are Khalishpur Police Station OC Nasim Khan and 10 other cops of the police station.

Plaintiff's lawyer Mominul Islam told BSS that Nasim called Shahajalal to the police station on the night of July 18 after taking bribe from two people.

Demanding Tk 1.5 lakh from Shahajalal, the policemen threatened him that they would file a case against him if he didn't comply.

As the trader failed to meet their demand, the cops took him out of the police station and gouged his eyes, the lawyer said, adding that policemen admitted him to Khulna Medical College Hospital.

Shahajalal was later shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He is now receiving treatment there.

Contacted, Officer-in-Charge Nasim claimed Shahajalal was arrested in a case filed by a woman from Khalishpur area.

Quoting the case statement, he said Shahajalal and his accomplices snatched jewellery and cash from the woman at around midnight on July 18.

Hearing her scream for help, locals rushed to the spot and beat up Shahajalal, the OC added.

On information, police reached the spot and rescued him from the mob.