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Published : 10 Feb 2026, 10:13 PM
A harrowing narrative of cruelty has emerged in court as prosecutors detailed the alleged abuse of a young domestic worker during the remand hearing of former Biman chief Shafiqur Rahman and his associates.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Zakir Hossain read excerpts from the girl’s testimony, describing conditions the judge called “shocking”.
He said she recounted that she was “stabbed on the back, had chilli powder forced into her eyes, was confined to the bathroom, and denied food”.
The magistrate said, “Her feet have rotted from standing in water. She received no winter clothing. She was forced to eat paste and tissue. She was kept confined in and around the bathroom. There are burn marks running from her mouth to throat, lash marks on her forehead, bamboo stick burns on her arms, and bruises across her back. Her thighs show signs of being pricked, and her head pains from hair-pulling.”
Investigating officer Sub-inspector Rubel Mia of Uttara West Police Station sought remand for Shafiqur, his wife, known only as Bithi, and domestic workers Rupali Khatun and Sufia Begum.
The court granted five days’ remand for Shafiqur and Rupali, seven days for Bithi, and six for Sufia.
The child is being legally represented by Fahmida Akter Rinki of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs’ One Stop Crisis Centre.
Over 50 lawyers attended the hearing to ensure legal support.
Rinki described the abuse as “brutal”, saying the child was repeatedly moved from bed to floor, balcony, and toilet, surviving on paste and tissue.
She said, “Even the other domestic staff could have reported this, but they did not. The child endured burning hot pricks; for a senior government official’s home, such abuse is a national disgrace.”
Defence lawyer AK Azad sought bail, claiming Shafiqur was unaware of the abuse, as he worked in the office and was home only one day per week.
The case was filed on Feb 1 by the child’s father, a hotel worker, who sent her to Shafiqur’s household in June last year, believing in assurances of proper care.
The father discovered the abuse on Jan 31, and the child was admitted to Gazipur Shahid Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital.
