Court grants bail to rape accused after marrying the victim

A Rajshahi court on Wednesday granted bail to RMCH doctor Shakhawat Hossain Rana, a rape accused, after marrying the victim.

Rajshahi Metropolitan Police spokesperson and Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Golam Ruhul Quddus confirmed the matter.

The court of Judge Mansur Alam passed the order, granting bail to accused Shakhawat Hossain Rana. Tk50 lakh den mohor in the Kabinnama (marriage contract) has been set in the marriage, said also Ruhul Quddus.

The bride already received Tk25 lakh in cash, he added.

Shakhawat Hossain Rana, 40, doctor of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) was arrested On July 25 after he allegedly raped a 27-year-old woman repeatedly after blackmailing her with intimate photographs and video of her that he had clicked.

He was shown arrested after the woman filed a case against him with Rajpara Police Station following his detention in the evening, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Golam Ruhul Kuddus of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP), said.

Rana, hailing from Naogaon's Porsha upazila, lives in Tikapara area of the city. He developed a relationship with the woman one and a half years ago, police said.

After developing relationships with the woman, Rana raped her and filmed the incident on his mobile phone, and also captured some private photos.

He continued raping her promising her marriage, the ADC said quoting her statement.

Rana went to her room and attempted to rape her again. After hearing altercation between them, her roommate friend called 999 as well as informed the matter to locals, police said.

Later, locals detained Rana and police rushed in. The law enforcers also recovered some videos, said OC Shahadat Hossain Khan.

From then, he was landed in Rajshahi Central Jail.  Meanwhile, an indictment was filed against him on November 12. After six months, he was granted bail on the condition of marriage.

After the marriage, the woman said on Wednesday afternoon: “Rana’s father asked me to marry his son on Saturday. After much thought, I agreed.  Later on the same day, a petition was filed in the court that the plaintiff and the accused wanted to get married.  The accused should be granted bail.  The judge ordered the accused to appear before the  court on Wednesday.  The judge decided that we would get married in court.  According to the judges’ order, Rana was brought to the court from jail.  Then the marriage ceremony was completed in front of the judge.”

She also said her lawyer Jahangir Alam, Rana's friend Masuduzzaman Kajal, Rana's father Mokhlesur Rahman, Rana’s brother-in-law Saiful Islam and Humayun Kabir were witnesses of the marriage. At the end of the marriage formalities, the court granted bail to Rana.