Controversy follows as he denies stalking charges
A mobile court yesterday convicted a young man for stalking a 13-year old girl and sentenced him to one-year imprisonment in the capital, but the trial gave rise to a controversy among local residents.
The victim’s father Faruque Hossain filed a general diary with Ramna Police Station on Sunday stating that Sakib Hossain Sajib, 20, kidnapped the girl and took her to his residence where he kept her captive, three days before Eid-ul-Azha.
Ramna police arrested Sajib from his grocery shop adjacent to his residence in Gabtala of Moghbazar yesterday noon and then informed the mobile court which convened at the police station in the afternoon. The court, presided over by Executive Magistrate Babul Mia, convicted and sentenced Sajib for stalking the girl of class VII.
However, neither the court nor police talked to the girl who was not present during the trial.
Officer-in-charge (OC) Shiblee Noman of Ramna Police Station said they could not talk to the girl as her father kept her away for security reasons.
No defence witness testified in the trial. Asked why there was no defence witness on the stand, the OC said in mobile courts cross-examination is not necessary.
After the sentencing, Sajib told reporters that he did not kidnap the girl, neither did he ever stalk her, rather they had been dating for more than three years.
He said he has many letters written to him by the girl, and many amorous SMS sent to his cellphone by her.
The girl’s father however said Sajib’s claim of dating his daughter is completely false.
When The Daily Star asked Executive Magistrate Babul Mia whether he took the girl’s deposition about the matter before delivering the verdict, he said as the girl is a minor her statement is of no consequence.
The OC also said that deposition of the victim was not necessary in the mobile court, as her father was representing her.
He said Faruque stated in the GD that Sajib used to stalk his daughter on her way to school, and Faruque had to shift his residence from Gabtala to Nayatola two months back due to the stalking.
In the police station Faruque said, “I and my family had to flee to Uttara in fear, after my daughter was kidnapped by Sajib before the Eid. I several times complained about him to his father, but his father asked me to shift my family to a different area, saying his drug addict son is out of control.”
NEIGHBOURS’ VERSION
During a visit to Gabtala by The Daily Star, local residents however gave a different account.
Shopkeeper Polash, who was a witness when the girl was handed over to her parents by Sajib’s parents, said the girl went to Sajib’s house on her own in the evening three days before the Eid.
The girl told Sajib and his parents that she left her parents’ house with bag and baggage, and would not go back.
Sajib’s parents immediately informed the girl’s parents, and forcefully handed her over to them, while she kept saying that she would not survive without Sajib, said Polash.
Some other neighbours also said the girl used to frequently visit Sajib’s shop, and they never heard that Sajib stalked her, but they were also not aware that the two had been dating.
HOW THE VERDICT WAS DELIVERED
On information that a mobile court would be convened to try an alleged stalker, reporters thronged Ramna Police Station at noon where Sajib was in custody.
OC Noman informed the reporters that an executive magistrate was on his way to convene the court.
Around 3:30pm Executive Magistrate Babul reached the police station in a car and started the trial in the OC’s room in front of the reporters, the girl’s father, and other police personnel.
A statement was prepared by police and the girl’s father, which was handed over to the magistrate who took a signature of Sajib on that. Sajib was not allowed to read the statement on which he signed.
When The Daily Star asked the magistrate what the statement was about, he replied it was a confession.
After Sajib signed on to the confession, the magistrate asked the OC who will sign as witnesses.
The girl’s father Faruque then arranged prosecution witnesses.
OTHER INCIDENTS SPARKED BY STALKING
Our Sirajganj correspondent reported that one was arrested and at least five were injured in an incident of protest against a stalker in Senbhangabari village under Belkuchi upazila of the district yesterday.
Police and local sources said Momin Sheikh of the village used to stalk a girl of class VII on her way to school. Yesterday morning the girl’s uncle protested when Momin was stalking her. In retaliation an angry Momin beat up the uncle severely.
Hearing the news, locals launched an attack on Momin’s house, leaving five of the family injured.
Police arrested Tutul, one of Momin’s accomplices, after a case was filed with Belkuchi Police Station in this connection.
Our Gopalganj correspondent reported that a mobile court sentenced Subrata Sarker, 16, to 6-month imprisonment yesterday for stalking a girl of class V, and for making unwelcome advances towards her.
After receiving complaints from the victim and her elder sister, Gopalganj police arrested Subrata from a mobile phone shop in Keramot Plaza of the town.
