Bogra ‘rape’ victim, mother taken to safe homes

The Bogra college girl, who was allegedly raped by Shramik League leader Tufan Sarkar, and her mother have been taken to separate government-run shelters in Rajshahi.

A police team led by Abul Kalam Azad, investigation officer of the case and also an inspector (Operations) of Bogra Sadar police, escorted them to Rajshahi, Assistant Commissioner Iftekhayer Alam of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police told The Daily Star.

The victim's mother was taken to a victim support centre functioned by the police inside Shah Makhdum Police Station Complex in the city around 12:00noon yesterday,he added.

Doctors of Marie Stopes International would provide free medical aid to her, while the centre would arrange all necessary medical, food and accommodation support, the police officer said.

Her daughter was taken to Rajshahi divisional Safe Home for women and children in Baya area on the outskirts of the city at 11:00am yesterday, said Rexona Khatun, deputy superintendent of the safe home.

They would stay there until August 30 as per an order of a court, according to police.

A Bogra court on Monday ordered the duo to be shifted to safe homes on security ground following their release from the hospital.

Prime accused Tufan Sarkar has meanwhile in his three-phase remand denied raping the girl, but his associates have already given confessional statements before a court admitting the incident.

Former convener of Bogra unit Shramik League, Tufan allegedly abducted and raped the girl on July 17. In an attempt to hush up the incident, he and his associates tortured the girl and her mother, and shaved their heads.

The victim's mother filed a case on July 28, following which police arrested 11 people including nine accused.