IO takes Tk1 lakh, 10kg hilsa as bribe

Staff Reporter:

Allegation has been intensified that, an Investigation Officer (IO) of a rape case in Shahzadpur Police Station has taken Tk 1 lakh and 10 kg of hilsa fish from the victim’s family as bribe alluring to provide charge-sheet to the court against the accused.

Though, the money amounting of Tk 1 lakh was realized by the IO in three installments from the poverty stricken family,  a final report was submitted in a bid to foil the case future, which has gone against the victim.

Such allegation was brought to the journalists against the IO through a press conference at the victim’s own resident at the Jamuna Char in the upazila on Saturday.

In a written statement of the press conference, victim’s relative said, Shahidul Islam, son of Sanowar Bepary of Bangala village in Shahzapur upazila raped the speech impaired girl on September 29, 2024. After the incident, local headmen tried to make the incident settle through a-village arbitration, but the Shahidul and his family did not respond to their call. Finding no way, a case was lodged with the respective court in this connection. Anisur Rahman, who was Sub-Inspector of Shahzadpur thana at that time, got the charge of investigation into the incident on the base of court direction. Currently, he has transferred to elsewhere.

After getting the charge of investigation, SI Anisur Rahman, also Investigation Officer of the case allured the victim’s family saying that he will submit a charge sheet to the court in favour of them. Then, he realized Tk 1 lakh in three installments and 10 kg of hilsa fish from the poor victim’s family. After a certain period, the IO submitted final report to the court terming it a false and baseless allegation. During the investigation, the statements of witnesses were not recorded by the IO. As a result, the victim falls into problem over the future of the case. Finding no way, victim’s father submitted an unwilling (displeased) petition to the court seeking further investigation.

The court also granted the petition of the victim’s father and issued order for further investigation. Now the case has remained under investigation of DB police.

Victim’s father urged the police to detain the accused, who is now moving freely at where and there and threatening the victim’s family for withdrawal of the case. If the case is not withdrawn as soon as early, they (victim’s family) will face hardship in future, he threatened.

While contacted over cell phone, SI Anisur Rahman declined the allegation and said, I did not take any money from the victim or her family promising to submit charge sheet. This allegation is totally false, baseless and fabricated.