SSC examinee dies in Habiganj; family alleges rape, torture

A 16-year-old girl who sat for this year's SSC examinations died at a hospital in Habiganj today after being found unconscious by the road last night. Her family alleged that she was raped and tortured. The deceased was from Ajmiriganj upazila. Following the death of her mother, she had been living and studying at her maternal grandfather's home in a village of Baniachang upazila.

She had completed her SSC written examinations and was awaiting practical tests. Her maternal grandfather told The Daily Star that the girl had been in a relationship with a lawyer's assistant, Jibon Das, from Sunaru village in Baniachang. Days before the incident, Jibon had taken the girl to a temple in Habiganj town, claiming that he intended to marry her.

However, temple authorities refused to solemnise the marriage after learning that she was a minor and sent her back to her family. Yesterday morning, he said, Jibon again took the victim away from the family home without their knowledge or consent. At around 8:00pm last night, she was found unconscious beside a road on the outskirts of Habiganj town. “Her nose and mouth were bloodied when she was discovered,” he added. She was rushed to Habiganj 250-Bed District Sadar Modern Hospital, where she died early today.

Dr Aminul Islam Sarkar, superintendent of the hospital, confirmed that initial information suggested sexual assault. However, a full account will only be possible after the autopsy report, he said. Sheikh Nazmul Haque, officer-in-charge of Baniachang Police Station, said the matter was being investigated on all fronts. “We are treating this seriously and examining all possibilities -- whether rape or other causes. Appropriate legal action will follow once the autopsy and investigation are complete,” he said.