Investigator showcaused for charging 5yr girl

A Dhaka court yesterday issued a show-cause notice on an investigation officer (IO) of a criminal case for pressing charge against a five-year-old girl.

Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mizanur Rahman discharged Akhi Akhter from the charge brought against her. He also directed the IO, Sub-inspector (SI) Bazlar Rahman of Pallabi Police Station, to appear before the court on March 17.

Akhi, daughter of Tareque Ahmed of Pallabi, along with her mother Fatema and sister Jahura yesterday surrendered to the Court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, seeking bail.

Moving the bail petition, Advocate Mohammad Ali prayed to the court to take action against the IO for bringing charge of theft and trespassing against a five-year-old girl.

Accusing such a little girl in a criminal case has created mixed reaction among the lawyers, litigants and others on the court premises.

Those who accuse underage children in criminal cases should be punished, a senior lawyer told The Daily Star asking not to be identified.

On August 14, Ashik Ali of Pallabi filed a case against Akhi and nine others following an altercation over tube-well water on August 5. The IO pressed charges against seven accused on August 3 last year.