HC summons Patuakhali civil surgeon over postmortem report in rape case

The High Court today summoned the civil surgeon of Patuakhali to appear before it on May 22 for giving an explanation of a postmortem report made in connection with a rape and murder case.

Civil Surgeon Shah Mojahedul Islam has been asked to appear before the HC to place his opinion on the postmortem report that termed the rape and murder of a seven grader Seema as “Anti Mortem and Accidental incident,” Assistant Attorney General Md Yousuf Mahmud Morshed told The Daily Star.

He said the medical term “Anti Mortem and Accidental” means “death and accident” which is confusing as the rape and murder cannot be an accident.

Rezaur Rahman, a medical officer of a Patuakhali hospital, has made the opinion in the postmortem report over the rape and murder of Seema of Rangabali upazila and Civil Surgeon Shah Mojahedul Islam has agreed on the opinion, AAG Morshed said.

Today, the HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman issued the summon order during hearing a petition filed by Danesh Choukidar, an accused of the case, seeking bail in the rape and murder case.

While dealing with the bail petition, the HC judges found the postmortem report’s opinion as confusing, AAG Morshed said, adding that the HC bench fixed May 22 for further hearing on the bail petition.

He said Seema was raped and killed on January 21 last year and later her mother Taslima Negum filed the case with the Nari O Shishu Nirjaton Daman Tribunal of Patuakhali against eight persons including Danesh Choukidar.

Danesh, who is now in a jail, recently submitted the petition to the HC seeking bail in the case, AAG Morshed added.

Advocate Tushar Banik appeared for Danesh.