6 named in court case over Hatia rape allegation

A case has been filed against six men over the alleged rape of a mother of three at her home in Noakhali's Hatia upazila following a dispute over voting for the "Shapla Koli" symbol.

The 40-year-old woman filed the case with the Noakhali District Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal yesterday (18 February), five days after the incident. The tribunal judge directed the officer-in-charge (OC) of Hatia Police Station to take legal action.

Confirming the matter to The Business Standard today (19 February), Hatia Police Station OC Md Saiful Alam said they received the court's directive on Wednesday evening and were recording the case at the police station in compliance with the order.

The accused named in the case are Abdur Rahman, 32, son of Abul Kashem; Md Motin, 35, son of Abdul Gafur; Helal Uddin Kerani, 40, son of Halim Dubair; Md Rubel, 30, son of Abul Kashem, all residents of Ward 9 in the Dhansiri Ashrayan Project area of Channandi Union; Emran Hossain alias Kala Emran, 35, son of Mostafa Sardar of Ward 7; and Belal Majhi, 48, son of Md Mostafa of North Azimpur village under Ward 2.

According to the case statement, the incident took place on 13 February at around 11pm at the Dhansiri Ashrayan Project in Channandi Union. The accused, along with unidentified accomplices, allegedly attacked the area over a dispute regarding voting for the 'Shapla Koli' symbol.

The attackers reportedly entered the victim's house and assaulted her and her husband. The husband was locked in a separate room, and the primary accused, Abdur Rahman, allegedly took the woman to the washroom and raped her.

The complaint further states that the accused threatened to kill the couple if the matter was disclosed. The following morning, the same group allegedly returned, assaulted the couple again and outraged the modesty of the victim. They also reportedly pressured them to identify the house of another female party worker associated with the same election symbol and later vandalised that house.

The victim was admitted to the Noakhali 250-bed General Hospital on the afternoon of 14 February and is currently undergoing treatment under police protection.

Hospital Superintendent Dr Farid Uddin Chowdhury said a three-member medical board has been formed for her treatment. Necessary medical examinations have been completed in line with a requisition from police, and further treatment is ongoing.

The medical board comprises gynaecologists Dr Shirin Sultana, Dr Fatema Joan Munia and Dr Tahmina Akter. A report based on DNA test results is expected to be submitted within a week.

OC Md Saiful Alam said, "On Wednesday, the victim herself filed the case at the Noakhali District Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal. We received instructions from the court in the evening. By Thursday evening, we are recording the case at the police station in accordance with the court's order and taking necessary steps."

Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Abu Tayyab Md Arif Hossain told journalists, "The victim is being provided with round-the-clock police security."