The High Court (HC) has ordered the authorities concerned to take departmental action against the principal and hostel superintendent of Murari Chand (MC) College in Sylhet within seven days for their negligence of duties over the gang rape of a woman on the campus in September last year.
The bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah issued the directive on Wednesday. It also partially granted the rule that was issued in this regard.
Confirming the matter to Dhaka Tribune, Barrister Fayez Uddin, representing the petitioners seeking compensation for the gang rape survivor, said: “The court has directed the authorities concerned to take departmental action against MC College Principal Saleh Ahmed and Hostel Super Jamal Uddin within seven days of the verdict.”
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The court on Tuesday fixed Wednesday for passing an order after hearing on a rule issued over the rape incident.
Advocate Mohammad Mishbahuddin stood for the writ petitioner while deputy attorney general Nowraz Mohammad Russel represented the state.
The High Court on September 29 last year formed an investigation committee to look into the MC College gang rape incident.
A suo moto rule was issued in this regard by the bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Mohi Uddin Shamim.
It also asked the committee to record the statement of the victim, plaintiff, Principal of MC College, witnesses, and others related to the case.
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The court at the same time issued a rule asking the government to explain why punitive action should not be taken against the principal of MC College and the hall superintendent for their negligence in saving the victim and for allowing outsiders to stay at the dormitory.
The college principal and others concerned were made respondents to the rule.
It may be recalled that a group of youths tied up a man and raped his 19-year-old wife at a dormitory of MC College on September 25 last year.
After police rescued the couple, the victim’s husband filed a case with Shahporan police station against nine people, mentioning the names of six persons.
The rape incident at MC College and another in Noakhali fuelled countrywide protests against sexual violence against women and prompted the government to amend the relevant law with a provision of capital punishment for rape.
A Sylhet tribunal in January this year framed charges against all the eight accused in a case filed over the incident,
The accused are Saifur Rahman, Shah Mahbubur Rahman Rony, Tarekul Islam, Arjun Laskar, Ainuddin alias Ainul, and Misbaul Islam Rajon, Rabiul Hasan, and Mahfuzur Rahman Masum.
All of them are local activists of the Chhatra League and are now behind bars.
