Rape accused slits own throat with blade in Dhaka court during hearing
On-duty police officers rushed him to National Medical College Hospital, and he was later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment
Badal Hossain Munna (21), an accused in a rape and abduction case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, attempted to take his own life by slitting his throat with a blade while standing in the dock at Dhaka's Tribunal No. 3 today (16 July).
The incident occurred around 1:30pm during court proceedings. On-duty police officers rushed Munna to National Medical College Hospital, and he was later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
Md Salauddin, a doctor at the emergency department, confirmed that his windpipe was injured and said it was being treated as a police case.
Ripon, officer-in-charge of the courtroom detention facility, confirmed the attempt and said, "The accused suddenly inflicted a wound on his throat with a blade. The cut was minor. We admitted him to hospital immediately. He will be brought back to court after treatment."
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
According to the tribunal's Public Prosecutor, Md Sajjad Hossain Sabuj, Munna is accused of abducting and raping a 14-year-old girl in Kadamtali in June 2022. The victim's father filed the case.
Testimonies had already been recorded, but the defence had recently petitioned to re-cross-examine the victim, which took place today.
During the questioning, the victim denied any prior relationship with the accused. The suicide attempt may have been emotionally driven by this response, the prosecutor added.
Police constable Saifur Rahman, who witnessed the incident, said: "Munna was in the dock and appeared unwell. I asked him for his name, but he didn't respond and moved slightly away. Moments later, I saw blood dripping from his neck as he began to collapse. I caught him and found a razor blade on the ground nearby. We rushed him to hospital immediately."
Munna's father, Abdul Ali, stated that his son had been in jail for several months and had appeared in court for a bail hearing.
"He slit his throat with a blade while standing in the dock. My son is innocent. His father-in-law has filed a false case against him," he alleged.
Court authorities are investigating how the blade entered the courtroom, and further legal procedures are underway.
