Feni rape accused who married victim gets bail

The High Court today granted a one-year bail to Zahirul Islam alias Zia Uddin, an accused in a rape case who married his victim at Feni jail gate in order to get bail following a directive from the court.

The HC, however, asked the lower court concerned to finish the trial proceedings of the rape case in 180 days from the date it accepted the case, for holding the trial under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman came up with the order after hearing a petition filed by Zahirul seeking bail in the case.

Read more: Feni rape accused marries victim: HC to pass order on bail petition tomorrow

During the proceedings, the HC expressed dissatisfaction as some media and feminist leaders made adverse remarks about it for imposing a condition that Zahirul Islam will be granted bail if he marries the victim, Zahirul's lawyer Faruque Alamgir Chowdhury told The Daily Star.

He said the HC asked the jail authorities to allow Zahirul (22) to marry the victim (18) at the jail gate as they had been in a relationship.

What happened between Zahirul and the victim was following their mutual consent and it cannot be termed as rape, lawyer Faruque Alamgir Chowdhury said.

He also said that the law is for the welfare of the people, and as the constitutional court, the HC granted bail to accused Zahirul because he married the victim.

Zahirul Islam will get released from jail after the jail authorities receive the HC order, he added.

After the HC passed the order, Zahirul's father Abu Sufian told reporters at the court premises that his family will recognise and respect the victim like a daughter.