Nine alleged rapists of Serafina Mardi, an ethnic minority girl who committed suicide failing to stand humiliation, were sued yesterday with the first court of Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal here.
Tribunal Judge Afzal Hossain took cognisance of the case filed by the victim’s mother Sushana Soren.
The accused — Nirmol Soren, Porimal Soren, Rajon, Jewel, Elias, Shimon Hembrom, Simon, Julian, and Karlus Mardi — are still free.
The tribunal asked Godagari police to probe the allegation in line with another case filed by police for provoking the girl to take her own life.
Serafina of Amtulipara in Godagari upazila committed suicide by setting herself on fire on February 20 to protest an out-of-court settlement of her rape.
A catholic priest and 12 other community leaders allegedly forced the victim and her family members to follow the agreement in order to protect their religion in the village.
After settling the gang rape incident, the rapists and community leaders forced Serafina to marry Nirmol under false pretences only to escape rape charges, alleged Sushana.
Later the community leaders married off Nirmol to another girl of a neighbouring village.
In an attempt to save the rapists from punishment, police did not accuse them in the suicide provocation case, complained the plaintiff.
The law enforcers filed the case on February 23 against the priest and 12 community leaders.
Bangladesh Mohila Parishad assisted Sushana to file the rape case.
Jatiya Adibashi Parishad demanded immediate arrest of the rapists and other accused to ensure justice in the cases.
Courtesy of The Daily Star
