Case no: 19(6) 2013 ASK

Tapoti Parui is an ordinary girl of Gangani in Satkhira. Tapoti lived with her old and sick parents, brother, brother’s wife and their male child.

On the 4th of June 2013, her brother and his wife went to his in laws house for attending his sister in law’s marriage ceremony, leaving Tapoti with her parents. When Tapoti was alone in the house, her maternal cousin’s husband entered into their house by cutting down the fence and raped her.

At that time local resident Sunil, Milon, Sristipad and others caught Tapoti and Milon and handed over them to local member of the village Mosaraf Hossain Nutan. The local member settle downed the matter by beating Tapoti and Milon.

Due to the shame, Tapoti set fire on her body in her house by using kerosene at 7:30am. Hearing the scream of Tapoti her neighbor rescued her. They took her to the local doctor.

2pm the next day, hearing that news Tapoti’s brother Diba Parui returned home and tried to take her to hospital but local powerful figures prevented him.

10.30pm on the 5th June 2013,  her brother admitted her to Satkhira general hospital with the assistance of the local police and people.

Tapoti’s brother Diba Parui as filed a case as the plantiff under section 9(1)30 of Nari-o-shishu Nitjaton Damon Ain in Shatkhira police station.

Observing Tapoti’s physical degradation, the doctor suggested them to admit Tapoti in the burns unit of Dhaka Medical Collage hospital. The Doctor of the burns unit of Dhaka Medical Collage Hospital advised that 82% of her body has been burnt.

On the 9th of June 2013, the Sub-Inspector of Satkhira station took statement of Tapoti under 161.

ASK provided support and overall assistance of Tapoti and her family when she was under treatment in burn unit of Dhaka Medical College.

On the 14th of June 2013 at 1.50 am, Tapoti died under treatment.

After her death ASK provided aid for completing the inquest report, postmortem as early as possible and assisted completion of all neccessary procedures to send her dead body back to her village for cremation.

Although Tapoti was an innocent victim of rape, she had to face adjudication after being beaten  by village authority (Matubbar).

The person who committed such the offence got away lightly with a few punches.

Tapoti died in shame and regret without getting justice for such a hateful offence. Though the case has been filed, many questions arise, when will judgment come? Will Tapoti get justice?

Will Tapoti’s family will get proper justice in this case filed for that incident?