College Girl’s Death: Family members frustrated as no arrest yet

Sister of the college student found dead in a Gulshan flat expressed frustration that Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobahan Anvir, who is accused of instigating the woman's suicide, has not been arrested yet.

She filed a case with Gulshan Police Station accusing Anvir of abetting the suicide of the 21-year-old woman on April 26.

Anvir and the woman were in a relationship, according to the complaint.

"Police found evidence of the relationship and of Anvir abetting the suicide of my sister. But police have not arrested him yet," said the victim's elder sister.

Sudip Chakrabarty, deputy commissioner (Gulshan division) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, had earlier said that the victim wrote in her diary about her relationship, the social barriers to recognition of the relationship, her expectation of a happy life with the accused and the restrictions from his family.

She detailed her serious frustration in her diaries and these will be the key to establishing the case, he told reporters as the case caused a stir in the country.

Police will consider arresting the accused once the necessary evidence is there, he said.

But a police official said wishing anonymity that the arrest will depend on the decision of government high-ups.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Forum Bangladesh (HRBF) in a statement yesterday demanded fair investigation and justice for the death of the woman.

It said the general public doubts whether there will be a proper investigation in the case since the accused is a very wealthy person.

The forum, a coalition of 20 human rights and development organisations, fears that the investigation and trial may be swayed as the accused is immensely influential.

Judging by past experiences, influential people often manage to evade justice by manipulating the loopholes in laws and the justice system, it said, adding that this case should not turn out that way. 

"There is no evidence that Anvir left the country, but police have not arrested him. The concern over justice is getting more serious," it read.

Referring to reports that the victim's family members were being intimidated, the HRBF urged the authorities to ensure the family's safety.

The forum called for appointment of an experienced, skilled and honest officer for the investigation and urged the media to abide by the laws and to follow the standards when covering news.