Victim's father is in jail for filing a rape complaint! Three arrested at the police station

A child is crying on the bed on the second floor balcony of Panchagarh's Adhunik Sadar Hospital. Her mother is sitting next to her, crying non-stop. The reason is that when she went to the police station to file a rape complaint, the victim's father, uncle and brother were arrested and sent to jail through the court.

The incident took place in Maidandighi Union of Boda Upazila in Panchagarh. The complaint has been filed against local BNP leader Ashikuzzaman Manik, who is a member of Boda Upazila BNP and an active worker of the District Volunteer Party.

The child's mother said that on Monday afternoon, her 12-year-old daughter, a fourth-grade student, went to watch television with her daughters at neighbor Manik's house. On her way back, Manik grabbed her by the face and tried to rape her when no one was in the neighborhood. When the child somehow ran home and reported the matter, the family informed the police station.

He further said,
“When we went to the police station to file a complaint, BNP leaders and activists from Manik’s side tore up our complaint paper. Then the police instead took my husband, son and brother-in-law away. Now they are in jail, I am sitting in the hospital with my daughter.”

The victim’s family claims that Ashikuzzaman Manik is using political influence to intimidate them and threatening to withdraw the case.

On the other hand, Ashikuzzaman Manik denied the allegations and said,
“There is an attempt to frame me due to past enmity. They attacked me and seriously injured me. My eyesight is on the verge of failing. When the locals called 999, the police came and rescued me and sent me to the hospital. Then they instead filed a false case against me.”

Boda Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Azim Uddin said,
“The attack on Manik took place due to a previous enmity. Later, the police received a 999 call, rescued him and sent him to the hospital. Later, Manik filed a case. The next day, the child’s family filed a case of attempted rape, which was also accepted. Since his father, brother and uncle were accused in another case, they were arrested. There was no incident of tearing the charge sheet.”

Meanwhile, there have been mixed reactions among the locals about the incident. Many are questioning – how fair is it to send the male members of the victim’s family to jail after the rape attempt allegation!

The child is currently undergoing treatment at Panchagarh Modern Sadar Hospital, and his mother is crying on the hospital balcony, hoping for justice.