On April 14, 2015, more than 20 women and girls were sexually assaulted at Dhaka University’s TSC and Suhrawardy Udyan gate areas during the Pohela Boishakh celebrations in Bangladesh. The assault lasted for over an hour, despite authorities installing CCTV cameras and police checkpoints for security. However, police personnel did not intervene to stop the assault.
The incident shocked the nation, but as of April 2018, justice had not yet been served. The case was being heard at the Dhaka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal 3, and the trial began on June 19, 2017. However, the prosecution had not produced any witnesses, and the tribunal had not been able to begin recording depositions.
Pohela Boishakh, or Bengali New Year, is a significant festival for Bengalis that takes place on April 14 in Bangladesh and April 15 elsewhere. It symbolizes new beginnings, prosperity, and abundance and is celebrated with traditional rituals, music, dance, and festive food.
Photo: Dhaka Tribune Front Page, 19 April 2015
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