Authorities investigating rape-accused Tufan over jail code breach

The prison authorities have started investigating allegations that accused former Sramik League leader Tufan Sarker has met the rape victim and done drugs during his detention in Bogra jail.

Bogra Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 20 August 2017, 08:04 PM
Updated : 20 August 2017, 08:04 PM

Arrested on charges of raping a school girl and assaulting the victim's mother, Tufan was transferred to the high-security prison in Gazipur’s Kashimpur from Bogra Jail on Saturday.

Deputy Inspector General of Prisons Altaf Hossain, in-charge of Rajshahi zone, told bdnews24.com on Sunday that he has come to Bogra on orders from IG Prisons Syed Iftekhar Uddin to investigate the allegations against Tufan.

“I’ve spoken to many including the witnesses. I’ll conduct further investigation, if necessary,” he said.

He did not say when he would submit the report.

Tufan was allegedly supplied with banned Indian cough syrup Phensedyl, used as a recreational drug, in Bogra Jail.

The media also reported that he and his accomplices were staying in the prison’s hospital, and eating food supplied from their homes.

He also met the alleged victim of rape in the visitor’s room at the jail, according to a report.

He was transferred to Kashimpur prison when the allegations surfaced.

Bogra Jail Superintendent Mokammel Hossain earlier said the authorities have formed a committee, headed by DIG Prisons Altaf, to investigate the allegations.

The girl, who recently cleared the SSC exams, accused Tufan of luring her with admission to a good college and then raping her on Jul 17, and several times afterwards.

She said several of his associates had also helped him carry out the assaults.

The girl's mother started a case on Jul 23, after she and her daughter were picked up from their home by Tufan's relatives and several miscreants.

They released the girl and her mother after beating them up and shaving their heads.

Tufan’s wife Asha Akter and her elder sister Marzia Hasan Rumki, a reserved seat councillor of Bogra Municipality, are among 11 in jail in the case over the rape and assault.