DHAKA: A tribunal in Dhaka on Monday (February 22) framed charges against cricketer Shahadat Hossain and his wife Jesmin Jahan alias Nitya in a case for torturing child house help Happy.

Dhaka fifth Women and Children Oppression Prevention Tribunal Judge Tanjina Ismail also set March 20 for the beginning of deposition recording in the case.

Both the accused appeared before the court during the indictment order. They claimed themselves innocent when asked about their guilt.

Tortured maid Happy and her family members also appeared before the court today. Her grandmother Manwara Begum appealed before the court to take Happy in her custody.

Happy is now in safe home of Mohila Ainjibi Samity.

The court said that it will take decision after recording statement of Happy.
Shahdat and Nitya’s lawyer GM Mizanur Rahman filed a petition seeking acquittal from the charge. But the court rejected the petition.

Earlier on February 4, the same court took the chargesheet against cricketer Shahadat Hossain and his wife Nitya into cognizance in a case for torturing child house help Happy.

After accepting the chargesheet, Dhaka fifth Women and Children Oppression Prevention Tribunal Judge Tanjila Islam also set February 22 as indictment hearing date.

On December 29 last year, Investigation Officer (IO) of the case and also Mirpur Model Thana OC Shafique Ahmed submitted the chargesheet against the duo to Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court.

Earlier, separate courts granted bail to the both accused in the case.

On September 7, 2015, Shahadat Hossain and his wife were sued for allegedly torturing their 11-year-old maid.

Earlier, Shahadat filed a general diary (GD) with Mirpur Thana that their maid Mahfuza Akter Happy had gone missing.

Hospital sources said the girl's body bore several injury marks on her both eyes, legs and other parts of body.

BDST: 1630 HRS, FEB 22, 2016
RS/RR/SMS