Police have prepared a charge sheet against suspended deep tube-well operator Shakhawat Hossain over the suicide of two farmers of the Santal community in Rajshahi’s Godagari.
“The charge sheet will be submitted to the court on Wednesday,” Godagari police station Officer-in-Charge Kamrul Islam said on Tuesday.
Rajshahi Superintendent of Police ABM Masud Hossain on Monday approved the charge sheet against the lone accused, who is also the ward unit president of Krishak League – the ruling party’s peasant wing, for abetting the suicides that created huge outcry.
The Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) suspended Shakhawat following his arrest on April 3.
On March 23, Rabi Mardi, 27, and his cousin Abhinath Mardi, 36, consumed poison while standing beside the deep tube-well in Ishwaripur village after not getting irrigation water for their land.
Also Read - Santal farmers’ suicide: Deep tube-well operator arrested
Abhinath died at his home the same day, while Rabi died while undergoing treatment at a local hospital on March 25.
Later, Abhinath’s wife Rojina Hembrom filed a case over incitement to commit suicide.
Another case was filed over the death of Rabi. Police are yet to prepare the charge sheet in this case.
After the deaths created hype, the Agriculture Ministry formed a four-member panel to investigate the deaths.
Also Read - Rajshahi Santal farmers died after consuming poison, says autopsy report
On Tuesday, OC Kamrul hoped that the other charge sheet would be approved soon.
According to the cases, accused Shakhawat asked the farmers to take poison when they requested him for irrigation water for their Boro land.
During the investigation, police did not find the involvement or negligence of any other person in connection with the deaths of the farmers, according to the OC.
Autopsy reports also concluded that the two Santal farmers died after consuming poison. Compounds used in pesticides were found in the bodies.
