The High Court yesterday ordered police to file cases against the accused in the rape case of a college girl within 48 hours, in response to a writ petition of Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.
The writ was lodged on Sunday following a local media report published on February 16 that a college girl in Baroikhali of Srinagar upazila of Munsiganj district had been raped by her neighbour Salam Sheikh, 52, on February 12.
The report said Union Parisad members Jaher Morol and Kalam had fined Salam Sheikh with Tk3lakh and exempted him. On February 13, the son of the alleged, with the help of Kalam, threatened father of the victim to leave the area. Two days later, the victim committed suicide.
It was alleged that Srinagar Police Officer-in-Charge Mahbubur Rahman refrained from filing a case in exchange of bribe, according to the report.
The bench of Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Md Habibul Gani passed the order.
Manzill Murshid, the lawyer of the petitioner, said the HC had ordered the police to take legal action against the responsible persons “in accordance with the provision of law.”
Therefore, two cases should be lodged – one for rape and another for suicide, he said.
Yesterday the High Court also ordered Srinagar OC to appear before the court on April 2 and submit an updated report in the case within 10 days following the court order.
The HC also directed the home secretary to form a committee of civilians within seven days for investigating into the allegation of taking bribe against the OC and submit a report in this regard within 30 days.
