After this verdict, life has become more difficult: Raintree victim
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Splash
    • Videos
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
June 30, 2022

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Splash
    • Videos
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022
After this verdict, life has become more difficult: Raintree victim

Crime

Zia Chowdhury
16 November, 2021, 09:45 pm
Last modified: 17 November, 2021, 01:09 pm

Related News

  • Girl walks into Supreme Court, seeks justice for rape
  • Raintree hotel rape case: A judiciary failure
  • Judge Qumrunnahar ‘intentionally’ granted bail to a rape accused: SC
  • Controversial observation: Kamrunnahar appears before SC
  • HC orders to submit report on steps taken to repeal section 155 (4) of Evidence Act

After this verdict, life has become more difficult: Raintree victim

I do not think that anyone else would dare to go to court seeking justice…

Zia Chowdhury
16 November, 2021, 09:45 pm
Last modified: 17 November, 2021, 01:09 pm
Photo: Collected
Photo: Collected

The verdict in the Raintree Hotel rape case, pronounced by a Dhaka tribunal acquitting all five accused, has triggered widespread criticism among different strata of society. In the verdict of the case filed by two private university students, Judge Mosammat Kamrunnahar observed that the girls' accusations were not credible because they had  "previous experience of sexual intercourse."

The observations of the judge, who has already been suspended from her judicial duties, angered human rights activists, prompting them to demand the repeal of Section 155 (4) of the Evidence Act that allows questioning the character of rape victims. 

The Business Standard could reach one of the two victims. Here is how she narrated the present state of her mind: 

I was talking to you the day the verdict was passed. You said you would not go to court. You had already assumed what the verdict was going to be. What was the basis of your assumption?

The offenders have a lot of money and they are so powerful that we could not present any evidence in court. Out of the 47 witnesses in the case, 22 testified, but none of them testified on our behalf. So, I could easily realise that the verdict was going to be in their favour. I thought it would not be right to go to court due to concerns about insecurity.

How did this incident at Raintree Hotel affect your life?

I am facing problems in finding a job. I have been jobless for a long time and I do not know if my parents will ever be able to marry me off. No one who knows this incident wants to give me space. In the eyes of our society, it is as if I am the culprit; and after this verdict, life has become more difficult. I have to answer to my parents why I had gone to court if I could not prove my accusation.

The judge observed that you knowingly went to the Raintree Hotel. There was no incident of rape. What is your comment?

I have my comments in my eyes, but I do not have the language to express it. Unfortunately no one saw what my eyes saw. I do not think it is a crime to accept a birthday party invitation. I have said before that I had no idea about the location of the party. I gave my consent to go thinking it was a usual birthday party, and my consent was taken somewhat forcibly. It would have been rude to refuse it if someone sends a car to pick you up. If I had known earlier that the venue was a hotel, I would not have agreed at all, even if a car was sent to pick me up.

Was it very difficult to attend the trial proceedings for long four years as the accused were influential and rich? What kind of obstacles did you face?

I have already explained it. In a word, I have led, and am still leading, a life like a thief, to avoid appearing in front of the accused face to face.

Will you appeal against the tribunal's verdict? Do you have anything to say to the victims of similar offences?

I have left the decision to my family. If they provide support, I will appeal; otherwise, I will quit here. Right now, I actually have nothing to say that can inspire or motivate the women who are victims of such offences... in fact, everyone now knows more or less about the justice system of this country. Instead of justice for the victim, her character will be assassinated if she files a rape case. I would rather ask the victims to seek justice from God, no one else will give them justice.

What is the reason behind the delay in filing the case? Why did you mention Piasha as a relative?

Because of Piasha's support, I filed the case after so many days, already knowing that there would be no benefit. She said that she would testify for us and provide all kinds of help. Piasha herself told us to mention her as a relative.

What message did the judge give to society through her verdict? Do you think women would be reluctant to go to the police station or court with allegations of rape?

I do not think that anyone else would dare to go to court seeking justice. This verdict means that the law can also be sold for money.

The court has acquitted Nayeem Ashraf. Do you still want his trial?

It would be foolish to seek justice anymore. There is no one to speak for us, I do not want justice anymore. We no longer have the ability to listen to the bad words spoken about us. But I want to ask one question – where is our security as the accused have been acquitted? Have we lost the right to security after failing to prove the allegation? 

Interviews / Top News

Raintree Hotel rape case / Rape victim

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Representational image
    Curbs on amnesty, ease for corporate tax
  • Luxury Houseboat owners  distributed food, provided medical assistance, and shelter to the flood victims, till the flood waters receded Photo: Masum Billah
    The first responders: How luxury houseboats became rescue centres for flood victims
  • RnB artist R Kelly. Photo: Getty Images via BBC
    US Artist R Kelly sentenced to 30 years on sexual abuse charges

MOST VIEWED

  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    Truckers at mercy of extortionists at entry points to Dhaka
  • Photo: Collected
    Student arrested for killing Savar teacher with cricket stump
  • Photo: Collected
    Father of student who killed Savar teacher with cricket stump arrested 
  • CID seizes car of Tiktoker who removed Padma Bridge’s nut 
    CID seizes car of Tiktoker who removed Padma Bridge’s nut 
  • Illustration: TBS
    Banker tries to embezzle money from Krishi Bank
  • TikToker who removed nuts of Padma Bridge detained in Dhaka
    TikToker who removed nuts of Padma Bridge detained in Dhaka

Related News

  • Girl walks into Supreme Court, seeks justice for rape
  • Raintree hotel rape case: A judiciary failure
  • Judge Qumrunnahar ‘intentionally’ granted bail to a rape accused: SC
  • Controversial observation: Kamrunnahar appears before SC
  • HC orders to submit report on steps taken to repeal section 155 (4) of Evidence Act

Features

Luxury Houseboat owners  distributed food, provided medical assistance, and shelter to the flood victims, till the flood waters receded Photo: Masum Billah

The first responders: How luxury houseboats became rescue centres for flood victims

1h | Panorama
Mahathir accused financial titans of seeking to reverse decades of economic development that propelled tens of millions into the middle class. Photo: Bloomberg

George Soros, Mahathir and the legacy of 1997

19h | Panorama
 If Bangladesh produces and exports high-value-added MMF products right now, we can increase our total export by around 25% in value. Photo: Mumit M

Time ripe for Bangladesh RMG sector to focus more on man-made fibres

23h | Panorama
Human Library Bangladesh has organised so far nine sessions; eight have been held in different parts of Dhaka and one in Khulna. Photo: Courtesy

Human Library Bangladesh: Where the halls come alive with human voices

1d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Khaled Masud  Pilot starts his second innings in restaurant business

Khaled Masud Pilot starts his second innings in restaurant business

42m | Videos
Severodonetsk now under Russian control

Severodonetsk now under Russian control

12h | Videos
South African boy drove ambition, says Elon's father

South African boy drove ambition, says Elon's father

12h | Videos
Why Dollar crisis will last long?

Why Dollar crisis will last long?

12h | Videos

Most Read

1
Padma Bridge from satellite. Photo: Screengrab
Bangladesh

Padma Bridge from satellite 

2
Meet the man behind 'Azke amar mon balo nei'
Splash

Meet the man behind 'Azke amar mon balo nei'

3
Photo: TBS
Bangladesh

Motorcycles banned on Padma Bridge 

4
Photo: Courtesy
Corporates

Gree AC being used in all parts of Padma Bridge project

5
Photo: Collected
Economy

Tech startup ShopUp bags $65m in Series B4 funding

6
World Bank to give Bangladesh $18b IDA loans in next five years
Economy

World Bank to give Bangladesh $18b IDA loans in next five years

EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2022
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab
BENEATH THE SURFACE
Workers unload sacks of paddy at the BOC Ghat paddy market on the bank of the Meghna River in Brahmanbaria’s Ashuganj, the largest paddy market in the eastern part of the country. This century-old market sells paddies worth Tk5-6 crore a day during the peak season. PHOTO: RAJIB DHAR

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net