A shocking case of rape and “arbitration justice” has come to light in Safapur Union of Mahadevpur upazila. A housewife, reportedly with mental disabilities, was raped in her own home by veterinarian Shamim Hossain, a previous acquaintance of her husband.
Hearing her screams, neighbors caught Shamim and beat him before handing him over to local elders. But instead of contacting police, an arbitration was held the same afternoon with over a hundred people present. Despite the victim’s repeated pleas for justice—“He has ruined my life, I will not leave him”—the arbitration leaders, Moazzem Hossain and Majed Ali, fined Shamim Tk 1.1 lakh and ordered the victim’s husband to divorce her. Shamim was released immediately after paying cash, while the husband divorced his wife without paying dowry.
Local residents have expressed outrage, questioning how such arbitration could replace legal action for a criminal offense. “This only encourages criminals,” said one villager.
When contacted, matabbar Moazzem Hossain defended the decision, saying both families “wanted divorce,” and that the fine was handed to the woman. Shamim admitted to paying the fine.
Mahadevpur Police Station OC Shaheen Reza said he was unaware of the incident. “No one has informed us. If we receive a written complaint, we will take legal action,” he told reporters.
Bangladesh Feminist Archives 