Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expresses grave concern and deeply condemns the allegation of a woman being detained overnight at Khulna Railway Police Station and then being gang-raped and tortured. Besides, ASK demands proper investigation of the incident and duly taking legal measures against those involved and punishing them.
According to information published by different media reports, the complainant went to visit her mother who was admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital. At that time as she became sick, she went to Jessore to see a doctor on 1 August 2019. On 2 August 2019, while she was returning to Khulna by train, the GRP Police took her from Fultola to the Police Station under the allegation of stealing a mobile set. That night, keeping her detained at Khulna GRP station, 5 Policemen including the OC of Khulna GRP Station police, Osman Gani Pathan, raped her. The next day, on 3 August 2019, the police hand her over to Court after filing a case for possessing 5 bottles of Phensedyl. In front of the Judge, she alleged that she was forcefully detained and raped at Khulna GRP Station.

ASK demands necessary actions be taken for the forced detention, gang-rape and false implication in a false case in accordance with Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act 2013. It is to be noted that during the recent review on the status of implementation of the Convention against Torture (CAT) at the United Nations in Geneva, the Law Minister strongly mentioned Government’s zero-tolerance policy regarding human rights violations by law enforcement agencies. ASK is deeply concerned and outraged over the happening of this serious allegation against the police which took place within a few days after the review. ASK believes that the government has to abide by its commitment made to the United Nations by ensuring justice of the perpetrators after proper and neutral investigation of this incident.

Press Statement 06-August-2019