SHABANA DEATHFamily being pressed to take case back

Despite passage of over 24 hours since the death of the latest victim of 'Fatwa', law keepers are yet to report an arrest in the case.

bdnews24.com
Published : 10 May 2011, 12:49 PM
Updated : 10 May 2011, 12:49 PM
Mohiuddin Murad
bdnews24.com Lakkhipur Correspondent
Lakkhipur, May 10 (bdnews24.com) β€” More than 24 hours have passed since the death of Shabana Begum, the latest victim of religious decrees, but the law keepers are yet to report an arrest in the case.
Her family is allegedly being pressured by the perpetrators to withdraw the case.
Shabana, 18, committed suicide on Sunday consuming by poison after her family was ostracised for 15 days upon a Fatwa from the influential people of the village, claiming she had illicit relations with her uncle, Mohammad Ripon, 20.
Her uncle, Badiul Alam, filed a case on Monday against arbitrators Syedabad Bhuiyan Bari Mosque Committee president Tofael Ahmed, Ahladinagar Mosque Committee general secretary Abdul Aziz, Abdul Mannan, Sekandar Chowdhury and 10-15 unidentified people.
Ripon's father and Shabana's grandfather 'Shafiullah', 80, told bdnews24.com on Tuesday that the accused were putting pressure on the family to withdraw the case.
Locals said some influential people of the village spread rumours of their having illicit relation, as they recently went to Chittagong, where Ripon works as a mason.
When contacted, Tofael admitted the decree, but said: "They committed anti-Shariah activities. So we decided to boycott them socially."
Ripon's father Mohammad Safiullah, however, claimed Tofael spread the gossip as he refused to sell a piece of land to him.
Sadar Police Station officer in-charge Sarwar Alam said the police were actively pursuing the accused.
"We are on alert to provide all legal assistance to the victim's family," he added.
bdnews24.com/corr/pd/sh/nir/2345h

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