Sodomy case filed over 20-year-old man’s rape in N’ganj as Bangladesh yet to recognise male rape

A 20-year-old man was allegedly raped by a neighbour in the Shahi Mosque Palli Bidyut Road area of Bandar upazila, Narayanganj. 

Officer-in-Charge of Bandar Police Station Tarikul Islam said, "A case has been filed in connection with the incident, and efforts are underway to arrest the suspect identified as Sayeed." 

The victim's mother filed the case with Bandar Police Station on 11 March after  he informed his family about the incident, which occurred on 8 March. 

In the case statement, the plaintiff stated that her son is a simple-minded individual. On Saturday night, he was standing on the road in front of their house when their neighbor, Sayeed, 40, called him to go over to his house, saying he had something urgent to discuss with him. Sayeed allegedly raped him and later threatened to kill him if he disclosed the matter.

The case was recorded under Section 377 of the Penal Code, 1860, meaning the incident is being classified as sodomy rather than rape.

In Bangladesh, male victims of sexual assault can only file cases under Section 377, which criminalises carnal intercourse against the order of nature, encompassing sodomy. 

Under Section 375 of the Penal Code, rape is only recognised when the victim is a woman, and the crime is punishable when committed by a man against a woman. 

While male children under 16 can seek justice under the Nari O Shishu Nirjatan Daman Ain of 2000, male rape is still not legally acknowledged.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, a Supreme Court lawyer and human rights activist, noted that sodomy charges carry less severe punishment compared to rape. 

"Under Section 375, punishment ranges from 10 years to life imprisonment, while rape can lead to capital punishment or life imprisonment," he said. 

SAD alleges attack by local BNP men for protesting 'cover-up'

Meanwhile, members of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) have alleged they were attacked by local BNP activists after they protested their attempt to "cover-up the rape incident". 

On 11 March, Rifaat Hossain Antu, senior joint secretary of SAD, filed a written complaint with the Bandar Police Station regarding this.

Confirming the matter, officer-in-charge of Bandar Police Station Tarikul Islam said, "We have been informed about the incident. A representative from the Students Against Discrimination has filed a complaint."

According to the complaint, a 20-year-old youth was allegedly raped in the Shahi Mosque area of Bandar. When the news of the incident spread in the area, a local BNP leader and his followers attempted to cover it up. 

Upon hearing about this, members of SAD went to the office of the BNP to protest the cover-up. This was when the BNP leaders and activists allegedly attacked them.