Ex-land minister Narayan Chandra Chanda sued for rape

A Khulna court has ordered the police to register a rape case against former land minister Narayan Chandra Chanda, former chairman of Dumuria upazila parishad Gazi Ejaz Ahmed and 16 others.

Judge Abdus Chalam Khan of the Khulna Women and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal gave the order today (29 September) and asked the police to take statements accordingly.

Confirming the matter, the plaintiff's lawyer Mominul Islam said after a hearing on the matter, the court directed Sonadanga Police Station to take the case.

According to court sources, Gazi Ejaz had allegedly raped the plaintiff multiple times promising to marry her. On 27 January, the victim was admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital. On 28 January, some of the named and unnamed accused abducted her from the hospital's One-Stop Crisis Centre, the case statement said.

After today's hearing, the plaintiff's lawyer said, "The victim has come to us seeking help now that the rule of law has been restored. Now she is free from fear and is ready to speak the truth. After getting her statement, we filed a plea for a case with the court in connection with the rape and abduction under the Oppression of Women and Children Act."

Contacted, Sonadanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Shariful Islam said, "Since the court ordered us to take the statement, we will definitely take the case."

In court, the plaintiff alleged that the accused were close associates and followers of the former land minister. She had been released from the hospital before her treatment was completed as the former minister used his influence to protect the accused. She was also subjected to torture and intimidation for withdrawing her claim of rape against the accused.

As the accused were very powerful and influential, she was deprived of protection from the law, the plaintiff also alleged. After the uprising by the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, she has now filed a case in the hopes of getting justice.