0, and Titumir Hossain, 13. The acid attack was carried out in sequel to a previous enmity between two groups of villagers. Police said a clash broke out between Swapan and Mustafa groups over establishing supremacy at Gopalpur village. Mir Sariful Haq Janak, OC of Kushtia Islamic University Police Station, said a group of four criminals throw a bottle of acid at Ayub’s family through a window, leaving three sleeping inmates injured at around 10:30pm. The victims were rushed to Kushtia Medical College Hospital. Later, Sonia was sifted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital while Titumir to Dhaka Medical College Hospital as their condition deteriorated. A report of the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) claimed that acid offence and its indiscriminate abuse cannot be stopped due to non-punishment of criminals. In the last 11 years, 13 accused persons were sentenced to death, but the verdicts are yet to be executed. During a period from 2002 to 2014, 1891 cases were filed in connection with the acid-related offences. Only 590, out of 4,926, accused persons were arrested. It means that 88 percent of them are still at large. The report also showed poor police action that resulted in acquitting the accused. Around 1,128 charge sheets were submitted. But police submitted the final report in 753 cases, discharging the accused. Out of 510 cases, 1,687 accused persons were acquitted. Only 172 cases were ended in conviction of offenders. The conviction rate is nine percent. The number of total convicts is 293 — condemned convicts 13 and lifers 108. Besides, 172 persons were awarded imprisonment on various terms, said the ASF report, quoting statistics of the Acid Offence Monitoring Cell at the Home Ministry. The report also said 3512 persons were affected in 3,183 acid attacks from 1999 to 2014. Of the victims, 1792 are women, 865 men and 845 children. Selina Ahmed Ena, executive director of the ASF, said the number of acid offences decreased now but it cannot be stopped totally for lack punishment of offenders. It has been alleged that the FIR is not filed properly while charge sheets are submitted dropping the names of important accused persons, public prosecutors are not sincere and police discourage victims from filing the FIR. Besides, trial is not completed as judgment is not passed within 90 days and victims do not want to continue legal fight for expenditure. Witnesses are reluctant to adduce evidence, threat by offenders and backlog of cases are creating exit of offenders. As per rules, the DC office should maintain a register to keep records as to who are buying acid and why? But in reality, this register is not being maintained. Noted lawyer Barrister Rafiqul Haque said the authorities concerned should maintain register and keep record as to who are buying acid and their purposes. “Acid offence is not so severe in neighboring India. If sale and use of acid cannot be regulated and monitored, acid offence cannot be stopped,” he added. Noted criminal lawyer and former UNDP-appointed consultant Ehsanul Hoque Samaji said if police refused to accept the FIR, victims may file complaint register (CR) case with any appropriate court. He further said investigation officers (IO) should consult public prosecutors to know what kinds of evidence and documents should be collected to prepare the case. “It is a team work. The IO, prosecutor, defence lawyer and judges play their respective roles in relation to a case.” Quoting section 134 of the Evidence Act, he said the number of witnesses is not important to prove a case. “There is no required number of witnesses to prove a case. The prosecutor should select some witnesses whose depositions are important to prove the case.” As per provision for section 171 (2) Cr.P.C, it is the duty of the IO to ensure appearance of the complainant and witnesses before the court, he added. In acid-related cases, a victim’s statement, medical evidence and deposition of 2/1 witnesses are enough to ensure punishment of offenders.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Acid attack continues as offenders go unpunished:Daily Sun
0, and Titumir Hossain, 13. The acid attack was carried out in sequel to a previous enmity between two groups of villagers. Police said a clash broke out between Swapan and Mustafa groups over establishing supremacy at Gopalpur village. Mir Sariful Haq Janak, OC of Kushtia Islamic University Police Station, said a group of four criminals throw a bottle of acid at Ayub’s family through a window, leaving three sleeping inmates injured at around 10:30pm. The victims were rushed to Kushtia Medical College Hospital. Later, Sonia was sifted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital while Titumir to Dhaka Medical College Hospital as their condition deteriorated. A report of the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) claimed that acid offence and its indiscriminate abuse cannot be stopped due to non-punishment of criminals. In the last 11 years, 13 accused persons were sentenced to death, but the verdicts are yet to be executed. During a period from 2002 to 2014, 1891 cases were filed in connection with the acid-related offences. Only 590, out of 4,926, accused persons were arrested. It means that 88 percent of them are still at large. The report also showed poor police action that resulted in acquitting the accused. Around 1,128 charge sheets were submitted. But police submitted the final report in 753 cases, discharging the accused. Out of 510 cases, 1,687 accused persons were acquitted. Only 172 cases were ended in conviction of offenders. The conviction rate is nine percent. The number of total convicts is 293 — condemned convicts 13 and lifers 108. Besides, 172 persons were awarded imprisonment on various terms, said the ASF report, quoting statistics of the Acid Offence Monitoring Cell at the Home Ministry. The report also said 3512 persons were affected in 3,183 acid attacks from 1999 to 2014. Of the victims, 1792 are women, 865 men and 845 children. Selina Ahmed Ena, executive director of the ASF, said the number of acid offences decreased now but it cannot be stopped totally for lack punishment of offenders. It has been alleged that the FIR is not filed properly while charge sheets are submitted dropping the names of important accused persons, public prosecutors are not sincere and police discourage victims from filing the FIR. Besides, trial is not completed as judgment is not passed within 90 days and victims do not want to continue legal fight for expenditure. Witnesses are reluctant to adduce evidence, threat by offenders and backlog of cases are creating exit of offenders. As per rules, the DC office should maintain a register to keep records as to who are buying acid and why? But in reality, this register is not being maintained. Noted lawyer Barrister Rafiqul Haque said the authorities concerned should maintain register and keep record as to who are buying acid and their purposes. “Acid offence is not so severe in neighboring India. If sale and use of acid cannot be regulated and monitored, acid offence cannot be stopped,” he added. Noted criminal lawyer and former UNDP-appointed consultant Ehsanul Hoque Samaji said if police refused to accept the FIR, victims may file complaint register (CR) case with any appropriate court. He further said investigation officers (IO) should consult public prosecutors to know what kinds of evidence and documents should be collected to prepare the case. “It is a team work. The IO, prosecutor, defence lawyer and judges play their respective roles in relation to a case.” Quoting section 134 of the Evidence Act, he said the number of witnesses is not important to prove a case. “There is no required number of witnesses to prove a case. The prosecutor should select some witnesses whose depositions are important to prove the case.” As per provision for section 171 (2) Cr.P.C, it is the duty of the IO to ensure appearance of the complainant and witnesses before the court, he added. In acid-related cases, a victim’s statement, medical evidence and deposition of 2/1 witnesses are enough to ensure punishment of offenders.
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