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5 years ago

Sonagazi ASI closed over rape allegations

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A policeman has been withdrawn from duty after allegations tying him to the rape of a widow emerged in Sonagazi upazila of Feni district.

Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Sujon Kumar Das was closed to the district police lines on Friday, reports bdnews24.com.

The matter is being investigated by Hassan Mahmud, the superintendent of the Chattogram Range DIG Office's crime division, said Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (Sonagazi-Daganbhuiyan Circle) Saikul Ahmed Bhuiyan.

But the chief of Sonagazi Model Police Moin Uddin Ahmed claims that ASI Sujon was recalled due to his negligent handling of the widow's case over a land dispute.

The decision to recall ASI Sujon was taken soon after the woman's court testimony in the rape case on Thursday.

She told the court that Sujon was among the men who raped her but that she did not accuse him in the case for fear of a backlash from the police.

According to her relatives, the widow's family members came under atttack from one Kala Mia, his son 'Masud' and a few others over a land dispute in the Upazila's Uttar Sonapur village under the Amirabad Union on Sept 10.

The widow started a case over the incident with Sonagazi Model Police with the investigative duties in the matter falling on ASI Sujon.

She alleged that she later fell prey to a fraudster named 'Rahima'.

Aided by the fraudster, five men raped her before robbing her jewellery and threatening her against escalating the matter on Sept 15. 

After the woman went to the police station to report the incident, ASI Sujon allegedly informed the perpetrators of the matter.

Later, with the intervention of senior officers at the station, the woman as plaintiff started a case against Sanju Sikdar, Aflas Hossain, 'Rahima' and three other unidentified suspects on Sept 17.

Rahima had been working as a domestic help at the homes of several policemen over the last three years.  Police arrested Sanju and Rahima on Sept 18.

Despite numerous attempts, ASI Sujon could not be reached for comment on the matter.

A court has sent the accused Sanju and Rahima to jail, said the investigation officer of the rape case, Sonagazi Model Police Inspector Md Khaled Hossain. Efforts are underway to arrest the other suspects.

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