Bogra Sramik League leader remanded for ‘raping student’

The three accused including Bogra town Sramik League convenor Tufan Sarker were placed on a three-day remand in a case filed for raping a Bogra student after abduction.

Chief Judicial Magistrate of Bogra Shyam Sundar Roy rejected the bail petition of Tufan and his two other aides Ali Azam of Chaksutrapur Khaipatti of the town and Rupom of Kalitala when police produced them before the court with a seven-day remand prayer for each.

Meanwhile, district Sramik League, the workers’ front of ruling Awami League, has suspended Tufan amid the rape allegation.

Tufan abducted the female student from her home, raped her and then asked his party cadres and a woman councillor to make sure everything was hushed up, according to a report.

They, in their attempt to muffle the victim, picked up the student and her mother, tortured them for four hours and then shaved their heads, the report said.

However, police did not seek remand for another arrestee Atikur Rahman as he gave confessional statement before magistrate.

The victim’s mother filed the rape and torture case against 10 people, including Tufan, his wife Asha Sarkar, Asha's elder sister, Bogra municipality woman councillor Marzia Akter, Ali Azam and Rupom.

The female councillor and Asha’s sister were on the run.

The victim, who passed SSC this year and was to get into a college, and her mother were admitted to Bogra Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital.

Tufan ousted from party

Bogra district Sramik League has suspended Tufan over rape allegation, said party insiders.

“This is a heinous act and we are ashamed,” said Rafiqul Islam, president of Bogra district Sramik League.

Probe body formed

A three-member probe body led by Additional Deputy Magistrate Abdus Samad Pradhan has been formed to investigate the incident.

She is out of danger, says doctor  

“There are seven to eight injury marks on the victim’s body. She might have been struck with blunt object like an iron rod or stick. Her body has deep scars but she is now out of danger,” said Abdul Mottaleb, head of surgery department of Bogra Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College.

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Bogra Nure Alam Siddique visited the victim at the hospital today around 11:00am and assured her family of both medical and legal assistance.

Prothom Alo Bandhushava, Bangladesh Sachetan Nagarik Samaj, (conscious citizens' group) will organise a protest rally and a human chain in Satmatha area of the town later in the day.

While briefing reporters yesterday, spokesperson for Bogra district police Additional SP Sanatan Chakrabarty said, "Tufan Sarker, in primary interrogation, admitted that he raped the student alluring her with a promise to get her into a college."

Source: thedailystar