Gazipur rape accused pressuring victim to settle case outside court

The family of a rape victim in Gazipur have claimed that they have been pressured to settle the case outside court.

They said a man claiming to be a Rapid Action Battalion member had asked them over phone to settle the case outside court.

The victim filed the case with Bason Police Station in Gazipur on February 18.

Police have not yet arrested the accused, Imran Hossen alias Anower, who is the owner of a local non-governmental organisation.

The victim's brother told The Business Standard that the accused and his associates had threatened to kill the family if the case was not settled outside court.

He said, "We feel insecure and have already informed the police. Police have advised us to lodge a general diary."

The victim said Imran, with the help of his female associate, had lured her with a job offer to his office in Gazipur metropolitan area on February 15.

She said Imran made an indecent proposal after she had reached the office. 

She claimed that Imran had raped her and videoed the incident to blackmail her when she refused his proposal.

KM Kawsar Ahmed Chowdhury, officer-in-charge of Bason Police Station said, "We are investigating the case and are trying to arrest the accused and his woman associate."

Police are also trying to identify the man who claimed to be a Rapid Action Battalion member and threatened the victim, he said.

RAB-1 Company Commander Lt Commander Abdullah Al-Mamun told The Business Standard, "After hearing the allegation, we have been trying to identify the criminal but the victim did not cooperate with us."

"So far, we have found no involvement of any Rapid Action Battalion member in this matter," he added.