Underage house help makes no allegation against cricketer Shahadat, wife in testimony

The underage house help of Shahadat Hossain has made no allegation against the cricketer and his wife when she testified in a case against the couple over torture on her.

Ali Asgar Swapan, the lawyer for the State, has alleged it was clear from her deposition that the cricketer has bought her and her relatives.

Mahfuza Akter Happy, 11, told a Women and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal on Wednesday that her injury was caused by accident.

She also said she cannot remember whethers he had spoken to magistrate and doctor earlier against Shahadat and his wife Jasmine Jahan Nitya.

Her maternal uncle also testified.

Judge Tanzina Ismail set Aug 31 to record statements of the plaintiff, the investigating officer and other officials.

The plaintiff, journalist Khandaker Mozammel Haque, was absent.

The tribunal issued a warrant for his arrest on Aug 17 for violating order to appear before it.

Swapan and defence counsel Nazibullah Hiru told bdnews24.com Mozammel Haque was ‘actually avoiding the trial’.

The court framed charges against Shahadat and Nitya on Feb 22.

In September last year, the cricketer filed a complaint with the police, claiming his house help had gone missing.

But hours later, the girl surfaced to accuse him and his wife of subjecting her to regular torture.

Police said Haque found the girl in Mirpur and took her to the local police station.

Haque later started the case. The couple had been absconding until police arrested the pace bowler’s wife on Oct 4.

The next day, Shahadat surrendered before a court and was sent to jail. The couple secured bail in December.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board first banned the player from all forms of cricket until the case was settled. The board later partially lifted the ban by allowing him to play domestic matches in May.