Rape victim gets ‘death threat’

A widow and her son have allegedly received death threats from a local Jubo Dal leader in Brahmanbaria's Nabinagar upazila after she filed a case against three neighbours over her gang rape.

The Jubo Dal leader, Abu Kawsar Ahmed, a resident of the same village and member secretary of the upazila unit of Jubo Dal, denied any wrongdoing.

The accused neighbours -- Musa Mia, Kamal Mia, and Hridoy -- fled the scene as the woman screamed for help during the sexual assault on April 4 night at her home.

The woman was later admitted to Brahmanbaria General Hospital for treatment. She filed the case with the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal of Brahmanbaria on April 10 after being discharged. The tribunal ordered Nabinagar police to investigate the case and submit a report.

Despite the ongoing police investigation, Kawsar allegedly began pressuring her to withdraw the case and threatened to kill her and her son and even disappear them if she did not comply. The victim filed a written complaint against the Jubo Dal leader at Nabinagar Police Station on April 14.

Speaking to The Daily Star, the victim said that fearing for their lives, she and her family have left their home.

However, Kawsar said, "Both parties came to me. I don't know anything about the rape. I never told her to withdraw the case. I am not a judge. If they want me to mediate, I can. If not, that's up to them."

Contacted, Nabinagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdur Razzak said, "Both allegations are serious. We are investigating the matter thoroughly and will share details once the investigation is complete."