Banani double rape case trial begins

Trial of the sensational Banani double rape case began today at a Dhaka court with deposition of the complainant.

In a camera trial, Judge Shafiul Azam of the Second Tribunal for Prevention of Women and Children Repression recorded complainant’s statement closing the door.

Before starting recording statement of the complainant, the tribunal requested all the print and media reporters to stay out of the courtroom while recording statement.

Only prosecutors and defence lawyers of the case were allowed to stay inside the courtroom.

The victim narrated before the tribunal about her traumatic experience on that night when the incident took place inside a hotel in the city’s Banani, sources said.  

Later defence lawyer for Naim Ashraf, one of the five accused, cross-examined the complainant on several points.

The tribunal then fixed October 31 for the next hearing of the case. On that date, defence will cross-examine her again.

During the today’s hearing, all the five accused were produced before the court.

They are: Ahmed Shafat, Shafat’s driver Billal Hossain, and his bodyguard Rahmat Ali, Nayem Ashraf and Shadman Sakif.

Earlier on July 13, the same tribunal framed charges against them.     

Shafat and Nayem were charged with raping the victims while Billal, Rahmat and Sakif were charged with helping the rapists in various ways during and after the incident.

Shafat is the son of Dildar Hossain Selim, one of the owners of Apan Jewellers.

On May 6, a university student filed the case with Banani Police Station accusing Shafat, Sakif and three others bringing allegation of rape against them.

According to the case statement, two young men including Shafat raped the plaintiff and another university girl on March 28 at a birthday party at The Raintree Dhaka at Banani while three others assisted them.