Police have been accused of harassing a woman after failing to nab her “drug addict” husband in Khulna city.
However, the law enforcers claim they took her to the police station on charges of helping her husband flee.
Sonali Sen, additional deputy commissioner and chief of media wing at Khulna Metropolitan Police, said they launched a probe into the allegation.
According to sources, on May 29, the Sonadanga police raided the house of Masud Uddin Rasel, who is allegedly a drug addict, in Moilapota area.
Rasel, who mends computer and mobile sets, claimed there is no case against him, and police raid his house ahead of Eid every year.
He said police held his wife for five hours and they approached lawyers for filing charges over the matter, but none of them was interested fearing harassment.
Rasel’s wife, who is a private medical college student, said police were banging on their door.
“It was a bit late to open the door as I was wearing burqa. No sooner had I opened the door two female police members held my hands and male police members slapped me, tore off my niqab and searched my body.
“Then they dragged me to the police station and kept me there for five hours.”
After being released, she was taken to hospital for treatment.
Sonadanga model police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Momtazul Haque said the law enforcers raided Rasel’s house to nab him.
“Rasel’s wife delayed to open the door as she helped him flee through the backdoor,” he said.
Police officers brought her to the police station but released her later, the OC added.
He dubbed the allegation of harassment as funny.
Women’s rights activist Shamima Sultana Shilu raised concern over the issue. She demanded action against the police officials responsible for the incident.