Rapists, Fatwas and Lack of Justice

Daily Star is reporting that:

Eight months after being raped, a 16-year-old at Khargor of Kasba upazila in Brahmanbaria had to receive 101 lashes as "punishment".

A village arbitration found her guilty and issued the 101 lashes fatwa (religious edict) but amazingly left alleged rapist Enamul Mia, 20, untouched.

The arbitration also fined the victim's father Tk 1,000 and issued another fatwa that her family would be forced into isolation if he failed to pay up.

Village matbar (local leader) Delwar Hossain alias Ullashi executed the durra (lashes) on January 17.

I don't know what hell the rapist will burn in, but I am sure he will be joined there by Mr. Delwar Hossain, who was the judge, jury and executioner against this girl.

Madam Prime Minister and Madam Home Minister: you are women. You have also taken an oath to uphold the constitution of this country. Please, in the name of all that you hold holy and dear, wake up and defend this girl.

She has been raped and became pregnant. The news report mentions pregnancy upto 7 months and a subsequent abortion. Such late-term abortions are considered high-risk even in the USA.

But after all that, the rapist is walking around a free man because, according to the local matbors, "he belongs to another village" while this girl was beaten until she fainted. Her father was also fined Taka 1000, which presumably the matbors will spend on partying.

And this is not the first time; these insects are repeat offenders:

Three women were whipped as a result of fatwas in the district during the last six months.

The police of course was no help:

Kasba Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Jahirul Islam Khan said they would take appropriate action if the victim files a case in this regard.

What do they do, teach this stock reply at the police academy in Bangladesh? After hearing about a huge abuse of justice, an officer who took an oath does not even go visit the victim?

I see at least four criminal acts here:
1. Rape
2. Physical abuse and beating of a woman
3. Extortion (with threat to ostracize)
4. Dereliction of duty by the Police OC

Madam Prime Minister and Madam Home Minister: the language of "The Prevention of Oppression Against Women and Children Act 2000" is clear:

9.(i) Whoever commits rape with a woman or a child, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for life and with fine.
Explanation: Whoever has sexual intercourse without lawful marriage with a
woman not being under fourteen years of age, against her will or with her
consent obtained, by putting her in fear or by fraud, or with a woman not
being above fourteen years of age with or without her consent, he shall be said
to commit rape.

Find this Enamul Mia, and try him in a court of law.

9. (iv) Whoever attempts on a woman or a child
a) To cause death or hurt after rape, he shall be punished with rigorous
imprisonment for life and also with fine.

The facts are clear. The following people hurt this woman after the rape, in connection with the rape, even though they were not rapists. Note the "Whoever". Here are the perpetrators:

Delwar Hossain AKA Ullashi presided over the arbitration while Wahid Mia, Basu Mia, Manik Mia, Shahjahan Mia, Dulal Mia, Maulana Md Kawser Mia, Imam of Gupinathpur Baro Mosque, Maulana Md Ishaque Mia, Imam of Khargor Jame Mosque, and a few others played key roles.

If you like, I will even draw you a map of where to find them. Try these scum under the Act. Then, as they are rotting in jail, incessantly publish their photos and the story on state-owned radio and TV. Let the word go out to every village that Bangladesh is a country of law and order.

Madam PM and Madam Home Minister: OC Md Jahirul Islam Khan has been informed of this crime. The Act does not require filing of a formal case. He now has less than 60 days to complete this investigation

18. Investigation of an offence:
18. (i) Any investigation of an offence under this Act shall be completed within the period of sixty days from the date, any information regarding the offence is
received or the Magistrate passed the order for investigation;

If he fails to do so, follow the Act and take action against OC Khan:

18. (iii) If the investigating officer fails to complete investigation within the extended period under sub-section (іі), the Tribunal
a) May direct the authority concerned to complete the investigation by any other officer within the period not more than thirty days; and
b) May order the authority under which the investigating officer is, to take step
against the officer who fails to complete the investigation within the period
prescribed under this section, taking his failure as incompetence.

Yes, going after the fatwabajes may cost you a few votes. But you came to power with a huge mandate. Do not let a few ignorant criminals hold you hostage.

Do not do this for votes or cheap publicity. Do this because this is the right thing to do.

Make us proud to have leaders like you.