Police were slightly negligent in handling Banani rape case: DMP commissioner

Police were “slightly negligent” in taking complaints of the two university students raped in a hotel, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Asaduzzaman Mia has said.

Police formed a committee to look into the allegations that police were negligent initially in recording the case.

Those found responsible have been asked to come up with explanations, said the police commissioner.

“Not major, but some minor irregularities were there,” Mia told reporters in his office on Monday.

One of the students who filed the case said she faced non-cooperation from duty officers including Officer-in-Charge Forman Ali when she moved to the Banani Police Station.

Allegations were prevalent that police showed negligence in filing the case as the suspects included a son of Dildar Ahmed, co-owner of leading jewellery brand Apan Jewellers.

Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission Kazi Reazul Hoque went vocal over the matter.

“Banani police took two days to accept the case. Does it take two days to file a case?” asked Hoque.

In explanation, police have said that they took the time because the girls arrived at the police station almost over a month after the alleged incident.

Citing the Penal Code, Mia said police have not done anything against the law.

The OC may do some due diligence if he feels that the allegation needs to be verified and to ensure that someone innocent is not harassed, he said.

“It’s normal for the police to take some time in such a case as the complainants appeared after so long.”

The DMP commissioner lauded police for the arrest of all suspects.