Do you remember the Raintree Hotel rape incident (2017)? Did you know that a female judge threw out the case, stating that it shouldn’t be accepted after 72 hours of the rape?
The Raintree Hotel rape incident in Bangladesh was a highly publicized and contentious case. On March 28, 2017, two female university students attended a birthday party hosted by Shafat Ahmed, son of Apan Jewellers co-owner, at the upscale hotel in Dhaka. The victims alleged that after the party, they were forcibly taken to separate rooms and raped at gunpoint by Shafat and his friend, Nayeem Ashraf. Three other men, including Shafat’s driver and bodyguard, were accused of assisting in the crime and filming the assault.
The case faced significant delays and controversy due to the victims reporting the incident to the police 38 days later, sparking public scrutiny and discussions about how sexual violence cases are treated in Bangladesh. The handling of evidence was also questioned.
In November 2021, all five accused were acquitted by a Dhaka tribunal, citing insufficient evidence. The acquittal sparked widespread outrage, particularly due to Judge Mosammat Kamrunnahar’s statement that police should not accept rape cases filed more than 72 hours after the incident. Her comment was criticized as unlawful, leading to her removal from judicial duties.
The acquittal and the judge’s remarks led to protests and intensified calls for reform in Bangladesh’s legal system, particularly concerning the treatment of rape survivors. The case highlighted the need for improved handling of sexual violence cases and increased support for victims.
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