Sylhet District Correspondent: The trial of eight Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists accused of gang-raping a young bride, extortion, and robbery at Sylhet’s MC College hostel has finally commenced in the Sylhet Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal.
The accused BCL activists are Saifur Rahman (28), son of Tahid Mia of Chandaipara in Balaganj, Sylhet; Shah Md. Mahbubur Rahman Roni (25), son of Shah Jahangir Mia of Bagunipara in Sadar, Habiganj; Tarek-ul-Islam Tarek (28), son of the late Rafiqul Islam of Umednagar, Shantiganj, Sunamganj; Arjun Laskar (26), son of the late Amalendu Laskar of Atgram, Zakiganj; Robiul Islam (25), son of Delwar Hossain of Baranagadipur, Dirai; and Mahfuzur Rahman Masum (25), son of Salik Ahmed of Lama Dalaikandi, Kanaighat.
On Tuesday, after receiving court orders, the case files were transferred to the Speedy Trial Tribunal, and following a hearing, the judge scheduled witness testimonies to begin on May 13.
Public Prosecutor Abul Hossain of the Sylhet Speedy Trial Tribunal confirmed the matter, stating that the court took the initiative to expedite the trial upon the plaintiff’s request. The hearing of witness testimonies is set to commence on May 13.
However, Shahiduzzaman Chowdhury, the lead counsel for the plaintiff, claimed the plaintiff has shown indifference towards the case for a long time. Following the High Court’s decision, the plaintiff had no contact with the legal team but recently filed applications with other lawyers. Chowdhury alleged significant obstructions to justice, including an unprecedented appeal against the High Court’s directive by the Attorney General’s office, and mentioned rumors that the plaintiff accepted a large sum of money to settle the case.
Case Background
According to case details, on September 25, 2020, a newlywed couple visiting the MC College campus in South Surma was abducted by a group of youths. The assailants held the husband captive and gang-raped his wife in a hostel room. Investigations revealed that the perpetrators were BCL activists.
The case has faced significant delays despite the submission of charges in December 2020 by Inspector Indranil Bhattacharya of Shah Paran Police Station. The gang rape and related cases involve 52 witnesses and charges against all eight accused under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. DNA evidence collected matched four of the accused, linking them to the crime.
The accused, active members of the BCL’s Tilagarh faction, confessed under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Saifur Rahman, Shah Mahbubur Rahman Roni, Tarek-ul-Islam Tarek, Arjun Laskar, and others were directly involved in the gang rape, while Robiul Islam and Mahfuzur Rahman Masum assisted them.
The trial, delayed by appeals and administrative hurdles, has finally resumed, with the High Court emphasizing its urgency. Witness testimonies and further proceedings are anticipated to advance rapidly under the Speedy Trial Tribunal’s jurisdiction.
