Calling a Student 'Prostitute'
HC orders probe against UNO
The High Court yesterday directed Rangpur divisional commissioner to investigate the allegations against Nilphamari Sadar upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) over her addressing a female college student as a “prostitute” and penalising her for “having a love affair” with a man.
During the hearing of a suo moto rule, the court asked the commissioner to submit the probe report by February 28.
The court said the investigation will be conducted in association with human rights organisations -- Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) and Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers' Association (BNWLA).
According to a Bangla daily report of January 16, UNO Kawsar Nasrin called an honours student of Nilphamari Government College a prostitute and fined her Tk 100 through a mobile court on January 13 for having a love affair with a school teacher.
The UNO, who appeared before it yesterday following a January 17 order, denied the allegation of calling the girl a prostitute. She, however, apologised unconditionally to the court for fining the girl through a mobile court trial.
The HC ordered Nasrin to turn up again on February 28.
Nilphamari's Laksmichap Union Parishad Chairman Aminur Rahman, who was present during the mobile court, and the girl yesterday told the court that the UNO called the girl a prostitute.
The girl said the UNO's conduct with her has caused her immense damage and devastated the dignity of her family in the society.
The court asked the UNO, who was kept standing in the dock, whether any girl can get married if she is called a prostitute by a UNO.
Nasrin replied in the negative.
During yesterday's hearing, some leaders of ASK and BNWLA, including ASK chief Sultana Kamal, placed statements before the court and demanded punishment of the UNO.
The HC bench of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik and Justice Jahangir Hossain Selim fixed February 28 for hearing the rule it issued on January 17 upon the district's deputy commissioner, police superintendent and the UNO to explain why legal action should not be taken against the UNO.
Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun and barrister Mehedi Hossain Chowdhury argued for the UNO.
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