Court orders CID probe into case over neglect leading to female doctor's death
According to the complaint, Dr Dhipra was confined to a room for three consecutive days and during that period, she was allegedly denied food
A court has ordered police to investigate and submit a report on a case filed against four individuals, including the husband and father-in-law of Dr Nafisa Tabassum Dhipra, over allegations that negligence led to her death in Dhaka's Dhanmondi.
The order was passed today (16 June) by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana after recording the statement of the complainant, Md Mashiur Rahman Shah, a relative of the deceased.
Later in the day, the court directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate the allegations and submit a report.
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The accused named in the case are Siddika Sultana, the victim's mother-in-law; her husband, Dr Rahmat Rashid; her father-in-law, Dr Mohammad Abdur Rashid, head of the Cardiac Department at BIRDEM Hospital; and Simu Naser, editor of the satirical platform Earki.
The complainant's lawyer, Farhad Hossain, confirmed the development.
According to the complaint, Dr Dhipra and Dr Rahmat Rashid developed a relationship while studying together and later married. The couple have a two-year-old son.
The complaint alleges that because Dr Dhipra came from a comparatively less affluent family, she was subjected to physical and psychological abuse by the accused from the beginning of the marriage.
It further alleges that the sustained abuse led to severe depression. Following the birth of her child, she reportedly suffered from postpartum depression, as well as high blood pressure and diabetes.
The complaint also alleges that despite being medical professionals, the accused neglected her healthcare needs, refused to bear treatment costs and obstructed her preparation for FCPS examinations.
It states that before her death, Dr Dhipra had posted in a Facebook group titled "Female Doctors in Bangladesh", describing the domestic abuse she had allegedly experienced.
According to the complaint, Dr Dhipra was confined to a room for three consecutive days beginning on 2 June. During that period, she was allegedly denied food and prevented from seeing her two-year-old child.
On 4 June, after learning of the situation, Dr Dhipra's mother reportedly went to her daughter's apartment in Dhanmondi and requested that the room be unlocked.
The complaint states that after the door was opened, Dr Dhipra embraced her mother and said, "Mother, I want to eat rice." Moments later, she collapsed.
The complainant further alleges that the accused delayed taking her to a nearby hospital after she lost consciousness. Instead, she was later taken to BIRDEM Hospital, allegedly through the influence of her father-in-law.
According to the complaint, Dr Dhipra died on the way to the hospital.
The complaint also alleges that following her death, the accused used their influence to obtain a death certificate without a post-mortem examination and arranged a swift burial in an attempt to destroy evidence.
It concludes that Dr Dhipra's death was not natural but was the result of a premeditated killing, followed by efforts to conceal evidence.
