HC asks police to ensure service: Why gang-rape victim won’t get compensation

Bangladesh Nari Mukti Sangsad formed a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Monday demanding arrest of culprits for recent sexual harassment of women in the city.
Bangladesh Nari Mukti Sangsad formed a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Monday demanding arrest of culprits for recent sexual harassment of women in the city.
block

UNB, Dhaka :The High Court on Monday issued a rule asking the government to explain why the authorities concerned should not be directed to provide compensation to the indigenous woman who was gang-raped in a moving microbus in the city.An HC division bench comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Kazi Mohammad Izarul Haque Akondo issued the rule upon hearing a public interest litigation filed by five human rights organisations over the gang- rape incident.The HC also issued another rule asking the police to explain why their delay in filing FIR of the rape incident, sending the victim to the support centre and her medical checkup should not be declared unconstitutional and why legal action should not be taken against the responsible policemen on charge of negligence of duty.The Home Affairs Secretary, the IGP, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, the OCs of Uttara, Khilkhet, Gulshan, Bhatara police stations and Bhatara thana duty officer have been made respondents to the rule which is returnable in two weeks. The court also asked the Home secretary, the IGP, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner to report in thee weeks the action steps taken by the police and other authorities against the rapists.Besides, the HC ordered the Home Secretary, the IGP and the Police Commissioner to issue a circular ensuring discrimination-free service at all the police stations of Bangladesh.Meanwhile, the court also sought the name list form the petitioners to form a committee with retired judges, lawyers and women rights activists for reviewing the existing law on the sexual harassment and sexual violence. The court asked the petitioners to submit the list by May 31 before the court. The HC came up with the move following a petition filed by Naripakkha, a human rights organisation, Mohila Parishad, National Indigenous Parishad, Ain O Salish Kendra and BLAST.Lawyer ZI Khan Panna, Barrister Sarah Hossain and Ainun Nahar Siddiqua stood for the petitioners, while deputy attorney general Amatul Karim represented the state.On Friday, the 22-year-old ‘Garo’ woman filed the gang-rape case against five unidentified miscreants with Bhatara Police Station alleging that she was raped by miscreants in a moving microbus in the city on Thursday night.

block