Mahima's family being harassed
Says TFT
Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi
The family of Mahima, who committed suicide following rape and humiliation by Chhatra Dal and Shibir cadres in 2002, is being harassed, said Task Force against Torture (TFT), an NGO under Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR), in a press release yesterday.According to TFT, harassment of the family began in retaliation for death sentences to rapists by a court. A theft case was filed against Mahima's eldest brother Jahangir Alam, a Jubo League leader, but it was dismissed by the court for making false charges against him, said the report. A false rape case was also filed against Mahima's cousin Parvez on July 20, said the family members. Local BNP cadre Abbas forced the police to record the case, said TFT press release. On February 19, 2002 Mahima Khatun, 14, committed suicide after she was raped four days ago and the subsequent distribution of photographs of the rape scene by the rapists among the local people. The incident sparked off a countrywide outcry. Four rapists were awarded death sentence and 10 others including fathers of the rapists were sentenced to different jail terms. Three rapists are still absconding while some others convicted are now on bail.
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