The trial of two charges in the 2020 Murari Chand (MC) College gang rape case will continue in a speedy trial tribunal after the state withdrew its appeal against a High Court order transferring the case.
The Appellate Division, led by Justice Md. Ashfaqul Islam, dismissed the state's application on Monday (March 17) after it was withdrawn, paving the way for an expedited trial.
Lawyers Omar Faruk, M Abdul Qayyum, and Kamrun Mahmud represented the petitioners in court, while Additional Attorney General Arshadur Rouf appeared for the state.
According to lawyer M Abdul Qayyum Liton, the victim’s husband had filed a writ petition seeking the case's transfer to a speedy trial tribunal.
On December 15, 2022, the High Court accepted the petition and ordered the issuance of a transfer gazette within 30 days. The state had appealed to the Appellate Division to delay the process, but after nearly two years, the appeal was withdrawn, effectively upholding the High Court's decision.
“The case was at the stage of evidence collection but had stalled. With this order, we hope for a swift trial and justice for the victim,” said Qayyum.
The incident occurred on the night of September 25, 2020, when a group of Chhatra League activists allegedly tied up a man and gang-raped his wife in the MC College hostel in Sylhet. The victim's husband subsequently filed a case with Shah Paran Police Station.
On December 3, 2020, police submitted a charge sheet under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, naming eight accused: Saifur Rahman, Shah Mahbubur Rahman alias Roni, Tarequl Islam alias Tarek, Arjun Laskar, Ainuddin alias Ainul, Misbaul Islam alias Rajan, Rabiul Islam, and Mahfuzur Rahman alias Masum.
On January 17, 2021, Sylhet Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Chowdhury framed charges in the rape case. Additionally, a separate charge sheet related to extortion was submitted to the Sessions Court. The High Court later ruled that both cases should be tried together if the plaintiffs approached the court.
Charges in the extortion case were framed on May 11, 2022, but testimony proceedings in both cases had yet to commence. This prompted the victim's husband to file a writ petition requesting a speedy trial. Following a hearing, the High Court issued a rule on August 16, 2022, and later delivered a final verdict on December 15, ordering the transfer to a speedy trial tribunal within 30 days.
In 2023, the state appealed against the decision but has now withdrawn the application, allowing the trial to proceed without further delays.
BDST: 1253 HRS, MAR 17, 2025
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