A Dhaka court has ordered the jail custody of Shafiqur Rahman, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, his wife Bithi, and two others in a case filed over the alleged torture of an 11-year-old girl employed as a domestic worker. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Raju Ahmed issued the order on Monday afternoon after a hearing.
The other accused sent to jail are Rupali Khatun and Mosha Sufia Begum, domestic workers at the household. Investigating officer Sub-Inspector Robel Mia of Uttar Paschim Police Station produced the accused before the court and sought their detention, stating they gave inconsistent statements during interrogation and could obstruct the investigation if granted bail.
Defense lawyer Zakir Hossain sought bail, saying Shafiqur Rahman is a government official who does not stay at home regularly and is not involved in the incident. He also said the victim had been returned to her family in an unharmed state and described Bithi as ill and elderly. State lawyer Tahmina Akhter opposed bail, alleging the family subjected the child to prolonged abuse and severe harm. The court rejected the bail petitions.
According to the case, the girl began working at the residence in June last year after assurances her expenses would be covered. Her father last saw her in good health on November 2. He alleged the family later prevented contact. On January 31, he was informed she was ill and, upon taking her home, found serious injuries. The child was admitted to Gazipur Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital and reportedly told investigators she had been beaten and burned over several months. A case was filed with Uttar Paschim Police Station.
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