When saviours labelled 'rapists'

All they did was rescued a gang rape victim, took her to the hospital and gave her all sorts of assistance to keep her mentally strong during the critical time.

But the two youths -- Imran Khan and Shohag Hossen, residents in Ashulia's Jamgora area --  have been languishing in jail for the last 18 days over the rape allegation, as police arrested the duo based on the statement of one of the rapists.

On the other hand, the victim girl said the arrested two are not rapists -- they were her rescuers.

On 12 January, a group of people including Rasel and Alam kidnapped her in front of her workplace around 3:30pm and forcibly took her to a secluded place boarding a CNG-run three-wheeler, alleged the victim while talking to The Daily Star on Tuesday.  

"Later, they raped me. After that, they left me in Zirani area beside Nabiagar-Chandra highway around 6:30pm," she said.

"When I was crying, some people appeared and were trying to know my identity," she said. "I then gave them Imran's mobile number as he is a close acquaintance."

Later, the locals contacted Imran. And after hearing the news, Imran and Shohag rushed to the spot and took her to a local hospital and informed police and her parents, said the 14-year-old victim.

Meanwhile, police arrested garment worker Rasel, 25, the prime accused, on January 14, two days after the girl's family informed them about the rape incident. On January 15, the victim's mother filed a case in this regard.

Rasel gave a statement to a Dhaka court under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) where he mentioned the names of Imran and Shohag as his accomplices. 

The victim said Imran and Shohag also took her to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment.

But on February 11, Officer-in-Charge (OC) (intelligence) of Ashulia Police Station Obaidur Rahman, also investigation officer (IO) of the case, called the duo to show up at the police station.

Once they showed up, police arrested them and produced them before a court, said the victim. She said she also told the court that the two are innocent. "How come they are now in jail over rape allegation?" she asked.

Rasel mentioned their name as he has previous enmity with the duo, she said. Asked about the reason behind the enmity, she said, "Rasel used to stalk me on my way to and from my workplace."

One day, Shohag and Imran protested it. "Even after the rape incident, the duo helped me and my family. That is the reason Rasel mentioned their names to falsely implicate them."

Lal Banu, mother of Imran, said, "My son is languishing in jail for helping someone. Even the victim said my son was not involved in the crime."

Rekha Begum, mother of Shohag, questions, "Is it my son's fault that he went to help a rape victim?" 

Meanwhile, Ashaduzzaman Halim, lawyer for Imran, said the court will sit today for hearing. "We hope the court will accept our bail petition."

"If a man is harassed for helping people, people will lose confidence in the law and no one will come to help the people in need," said the lawyer.

The victim also hopes that the court will release the rescuers. 

Contacted, Abdul Awal, officer-in-charge of Ashulia Police Station, asked this correspondent to talk to the IO. 

When asked, IO Obaidur said they were investigating the case.

He added that he would not make any comment before the investigation is completed.

VICTIM'S FAMILY COMPLAINS OF THREAT  

The victim's mother alleged that Rasel's brother-in-law Al-Amin has been threatening them to withdraw the case. Al-Amin, who was also arrested along with Rasel, has recently come out of jail on bail. 

This correspondent could not talk to Al-Amin despite repeated attempts over the phone.

Asked, the IO said, "I will look into the matter."