Shaken to the core, a teenage rape victim in Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur has received humiliation, instead of support, traumatising her no less than the physical violation two months ago.
She and her family have been subjected to torture and coercion since her mother filed a case with Mithapukur Police Station on September 8, a week after the incident, against five people.
Rashedul Islam, a college student, used to stalk her daughter on her way to school, said the plaintiff, Afroza Begum.
The girl's parents complained to his family about the matter several times but saw no action from that side.
On September 1, the schoolgirl was returning home when Rashedul, who used to run a studio, picked her up with help from two accomplices and took her to his shop at Chharanbazar in the upazila town. There he confined her for nearly an hour and raped her, the victim said.
As she returned home, her family took her to Rangpur Medical College Hospital where she received treatment for a week.
On her release, her parents went to Borobala Union Parishad Chairman Saheb Ali Sarker and informed him of the rape by his nephew Rashedul. They also told Rashedul's father Shahdur Rahman about the matter. But they beat up the girl and her parents and drove them out.
Having been through all this, she joined her class in Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Girls School. But Headmaster Anisur Rahman often called her mother and asked her to transfer her daughter to another school, Afroza said.
Finally, he handed a transfer certificate (TC) to the girl, a student of Class-IX, on October 23, which drew huge criticism.
Two days later, Rashedul, who had apparently been fleeing, was arrested at Chharanbazar and sent to Rangpur jail on a court order.
However, no action has been taken against the other accused in the case -- Rashedul's accomplices, father and the uncle, the girl's mother lamented.
Receiving instructions from Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Rahat Anwar, UNO (Upazila Nirbahi Officer) of Mithapukur Mamunur Rashid took the matter seriously and sought a clarification from the headmaster as to on which grounds the TC was issued.
Failing to do so, Headmaster Anisur admitted the girl to the school again.
Anisur said his school's management committee had forced him to issue the TC.
“I admit it was a mistake but I did it as Lutfar Rahman, president of the school's managing committee, forced me [to do so],” he said.
Lutfar said guardians' representatives in the committee had been pressing him to get her out.
The UNO said the headmaster had issued the TC unlawfully. A probe committee has been formed to look into the matter.
Meanwhile, the victim's mother demanded punishment of the accused.
Talking to The Daily Star, Saheb Ali Sarker, chairman of Borobala UP, said the allegations of rape and torture were false and that those were part of a conspiracy against him.
Asked about the TC, he said, “I did not influence anyone to issue the TC.”