HC summons doctor for delay in preparing health report

The High Court today summoned a forensic doctor to appear before it for making “unusual” delay in preparing a report on medical checkup of a rape victim in Rangpur.

The court directed Dr Sohely Sultana, a lecturer of the forensic department of Rangpur Medical College, to appear before it on July 10 for giving an explanation on this issue.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order during hearing a bail petition filed by Md Sakerul Islam, an accused of the case.

Assistant Attorney General Md Yousuf Mahmud Morshed told The Daily Star that a 15-year old girl was gang-raped at Hargachha area in Rangpur on February 28 this year.

The victim’s mother Nihara Begum filed a case with Hargachha Police Station on March 2 against four people including Sakerul in connection with the incident. Sakerul was arrested on March 3.

Dr Sohely Sultana, the doctor concerned, who examined the health of the victim, provided the health-test report to the investigation officer on April 1 saying that sign of rape was not found.

The health report of a rape victim is supposed to be provided to the investigation officer as soon as possible so that the report cannot be manipulated, AAG Morshed said. 

Investigation officer Razifuzzaman Bosunia appeared with the health report before the HC today as per its earlier directive.

Dr Sohely said in the report that “I am in my opinion that victim has no sign of forceful sexual intercourse at the time of examination and the age of the victim is in between 15 to 16 years”.

AAG Morshed said Sakerul filed the bail petition with the HC on April 18 as the lower court concerned refused to grant him bail earlier.

The HC yesterday fixed July 10 for further hearing on the bail petition.

Advocate Moniruzzaman Rana appeared for Sakerul.