Banani double rape case: Shafat, 4 others

acquitted

All five accused, including Shafat Ahmed, were acquitted from the
charges of Banani double rape case.

The five accused are: Shafat Ahmed, his friends Shadman Sakif and
Nayeem Ashraf alias Halim, driver Billal Hossain and bodyguard Rahmat
Ali.

Shafat is son of Dildar Hossain Selim, owner of Apan Jewellers.

Judge Mosammat Kamrunnahar of Dhaka 7th Tribunal for Prevention of

Women and Children Repression passed the acquittal order in presence
of the accused in a packed courtroom, after 93 working days.

The judge, in her verdict, said the prosecution has failed to prove the
charges brought against the accused and they were acquitted.
During the verdict, the judge criticised the investigation officer for
submitting charge sheet even though no evidence was found against the
five accused and for "wasting time".

Shafat and Nayem were charged with raping two women while Billal,
Rahmat and Sakif for helping them during and after the incident.

Earlier, the prosecution and the defence completed their arguments and
the tribunal recorded statements of 21 prosecution witnesses, including
complainant of the case.

On June 8 of 2017, Ismot Ara Ame, inspector of Women Support and

Investigation Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and investigation
officer of the case, submitted a charge sheet against the five accused.

On July 13 the same year, the same tribunal framed charges against
them.  

A university student filed the case with Banani Police Station accusing
Shafat, Sakif and three others on May 6 of 2017.

According to the case statement, two young men including Shafat raped
the complainant and another university student on March 28 at a birthday
party at the Raintree hotel in Banani while three others assisted them.