Bogra 'Rape': Court sends victim to a safe home

A court in Bogra yesterday sent the teenage girl, who was allegedly raped by suspended Shramik League leader Tufan Sarkar, to a safe home in another district.

Initially the girl expressed her objection to going to a safe home. "I did not commit any crime. Why should I go to a safe home?" she told The Daily Star.

After the girl and her mother were released from Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital, they along with their father were presented before the Court of Additional District and Sessions Judge.

Both the mother and daughter voiced objection to going to a safe home when an appeal was made to that end on security ground, said prosecutor Amanullah.

In the face of their objection, Judge Emdadul Haque of the Juvenile Court asked the victim's father if he could ensure security of his daughter.

In reply, the father expressed his inability and the judge sent the girl to a safe home and her mother to a victim support centre.

The ruling came in the wake of growing concerns if the victims could return home from the hospital and stay safe.

Abdul Motaleb Hossain, chief of surgery department, told journalists both the mother and daughter were physically sound and did not need to stay at the hospital anymore.

Sanatan Chakrabarty, additional superintendent of police, said preparations were being made to send the girl to Rajshahi divisional safe home.

Abul Kalam Azad, investigation officer of the case, said Tufan in his three-phase remand did not admit to raping the girl, but his associates Atik, Munna and Jibon Rabidas have already given confessional statements before a court admitting the incident.

Earlier on July 17, Tufan, convener of Bogra unit of ruling Awami League's workers front, allegedly abducted the girl from her house and raped her. He also allegedly asked his party cadres and a woman councillor to make sure everything was hushed up.

Following his order, they picked up the student and her mother, tortured them for four hours and shaved their heads.

The victim's mother filed a case on July 28, following which police arrested 11 people including nine accused.