HC directs to suspend OC, SI, ASI in housewife molestation case

PBC News:  High Court has directed to take departmental action suspending five persons including the then officer-in-charge (OC) Kamruzzaman in connection with the incident of molestating a housewife after undressing her at Begumganj upazila in in Noakhali district.

The directive was given by a virtual High Court bench comprising Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Md Quamrul Hossain Molla.

Coming out of the court, Barrister Anik R. Huque stated it to journalists.

Advocate Abdullah Al Mamun, who drew the attention of the court to the matter, was present.

On the other hand, the state was represented by deputy attorney general Nowroz Russel Chowdhury.

Apart from the OC, the HC directed to take departmental action against four persons. They were sub-inspector Habibur Rahman, assistant sub-inspector Mominul Islam, local UP member Moazzem Hossain Sohag and chowkidar Ali Asgar.

Earlier on October 5 last year, the High Court directed the BTRC to remove the footage after the incident was taken into cognizance of the court.

The BTRC chairman was asked to remove the video footage after keeping a copy on a CD or pen drive.

Besides, the Noakhali police super was asked to provide all kinds of security to the family of the woman. At the same time, the High Court constituted a committee to probe any negligence of police in recording the statement of the victim regarding the incident. The committee was asked to submit a report to the High Court Registrar within 15 working days investigating the incident.

Later, Choumuhoni Govt SA College Principal Professor Md Abul Bashar was made the committee head, while Noakhali’s additional deputy commissioner (Overall) Ishrat Sadmin and district social welfare officer Saiful Islam Chowdhury made the committee members.  The committee submitted the report to the court.

The probe committee opined that the High Court could take rational measures against the public representative, police officials and local chowkider for their negligence in the incident. Later, the High Court passed the directive on the report on Thursday (Oct 28).