In Bogura's Dhunat, no medical test two months after a rape case was filed; allegation of taking money against the investigating officer

In Dhunat, Bogura, it has been alleged that even nearly two months after a rape case was filed, the medical examination of a widowed woman and the collection of necessary evidence have not been carried out. The woman has also alleged that Tk 4,000 was taken from her in the name of arranging the medical examination.

Seeking redress over these incidents, the woman submitted a written complaint on Saturday (October 31) to the Superintendent of Police of Bogura against Dhunat police station Sub-Inspector (SI) Osman Gani, the investigating officer of the case.

According to the complaint, after her husband died about a year ago, the woman had been living at her in-laws' home with her three daughters. During this time, neighbour and relative by marriage Rezaul Karim repeatedly made indecent proposals to her, the complaint says.

According to the allegation, when she refused, Rezaul Karim entered her room on the night of August 21, held a knife to her throat and raped her. The following day, August 22, the woman filed a complaint at Dhunat police station.

Getting no remedy from the police station, she filed a case on August 27 at Bogura's Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-2; the case number is 163. The court ordered the officer-in-charge (OC) of Dhunat police station to record the case as an FIR and take legal action against the accused. The case was later recorded on September 13 and the investigation was assigned to SI Osman Gani.

The woman alleges that accused Rezaul Karim and his relatives have been pressuring her in various ways to withdraw the case. When she refused, she was driven out of the home with her three daughters and her bedroom was locked. She says she informed the police but received no remedy; she is now sheltering at her father's home with her three children.

She further alleges that she gave investigating officer SI Osman Gani Tk 4,000 for the medical examination, but nearly two months passed without any medical test or evidence collection. She fears the evidence has been destroyed and that she will be denied justice. She has also alleged that the investigating officer has taken financial benefits from the accused and is not arresting him.

When reporters went to Dhunat police station for his comment, SI Osman Gani was not found. Contacted by mobile phone, he said he would come to the station within 30 minutes, but he was not found even after an hour's wait. Called again later, he said the woman had not agreed to a medical examination. Asked whether there was any general diary note or a written statement from the woman on this, he could not give a proper answer and at one point disconnected the call.

Dhunat police station OC Atikul Islam declined to speak on the matter. He said the case is under investigation and evidence can be examined at any time.

Bogura Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Hosain Muhammad Raihan said that when a rape case is filed, the victim is usually taken quickly to hospital for a medical examination and sample collection. Here, he has learned, that has not been possible even after nearly two months; speaking to the officer concerned, he learned the woman herself did not want the test. He said whether any legal lapse occurred would be investigated after receiving the complaint, and if negligence by any member is found, action will be taken quickly.

Bogura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Public Prosecutor (PP) Mozammel Haque said the court had ordered the case to be recorded as an FIR at the police station and it was recorded; but after nearly two months there is a risk that important evidence, especially sperm, has been destroyed. If the medical test really has not been done in this time, it amounts to negligence in the investigation, the law provides punishment if destruction of evidence is proved, and he believes the investigating officer has violated the court's direction.