A Dhaka court has denied bail to Md Nasirul Haque Siddiqui, who is accused of raping and torturing a 17-year-old domestic worker with a physical disability in Dhanmondi.
The court, however, granted bail to his wife, Shahnaz Siddiqui, who is accused of physically abusing the girl.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Raunak Jahan Taki passed the orders after a hearing on Thursday.
SI Ilamoni of the prosecution department confirmed the matter.
Defence lawyer Mohammad Forkan Mia sought bail for both accused, while the prosecution opposed the pleas. After hearing both sides, the court rejected Nasirul’s bail petition and granted bail to Shahnaz.
According to the case statement, the victim had been working as a domestic worker at a flat on Road 4/A in Dhanmondi for the past three years. Nasirul and Shahnaz live there.
The case statement alleges that Nasirul had repeatedly raped the victim against her will, while Shahnaz allegedly beat and physically abused her on various occasions.
It further alleges that on the night of August 25, when Shahnaz went to visit her sister, Nasirul raped the victim while they were alone at home. He also allegedly threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident.
The incident later came to light with the help of another part-time domestic worker Mosammat Jamila, 19. The victim subsequently informed Zakia Sultana, president of the Domestic Workers Forum.
Zakia filed a case with Dhanmondi Model Police Station on October 1 under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.
Following the filing of the case, Dhanmondi police Sub-Inspector (unarmed) Mosammat Jenatul Ferdousi arrested Nasirul and Shahnaz.
After initial questioning, police produced the two accused before the court and sought their detention in jail until the investigation is completed.
After hearing both sides, the court denied Nasirul Haque Siddiqui’s bail plea but granted bail to Shahnaz Siddiqui.