Marma sisters’ custody: SC to hear plea seeking stay on HC order tomorrow

The Supreme Court is set to hold hearing tomorrow on a petition seeking stay on the High Court order that asked the authorities concerned to give two Marma sisters, one of whom was allegedly raped and the other sexually assaulted by members of security forces last month, to their father’s custody.

The petition has been included as item No 4 in tomorrow’s hearing list of the Appellate Division of the SC headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain.

The Marma sisters -- aged 18 and 13 -- were admitted to the hospital on January 22. Earlier in the day, the elder one was allegedly raped while the other sexually assaulted during a drive by a team of security forces in their village, Bilaicchari.

Following a writ petition, a High Court bench on February 13 ordered the authorities concerned of the government and Rangamati Sadar Hospital to hand over the girls to their father. The petition was filed by the girls' father.

The two Marma sisters were handed over to their parents at Rangamati Sadar Hospital on February 15 in presence of police.

The same day (February 15), rights activist Sultana Kamal filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the HC order.

In the petition Advocate Sultana Kamal claimed that the girls wanted to go under the custody of Chakma Circle Chief Raja Debashish Roy, who would ensure their security.

The elder sister has sent a letter to the civil surgeon of Rangamati to this end and a writ petition over this issue has been pending with the High Court, Sultana said in the petition.

Chamber judge of the Appellate Division on February 18 sent the petition to its full bench for its hearing.