Bangladesh woman judge suspended for making obscene remarks on rape

The decision of the Supreme Court amidst strong opposition from the people

72 hours after the rape, the police did not register a complaint

DHAKA: A Bangladeshi woman judge has made an objectionable observation in a rape case, saying that if a complaint is lodged 72 hours after the rape, it should not be accepted by the police. The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has released the woman judge on the ground of observation.

Judge Begum Mosammat of the Tribunal for Women and Children in Dhaka, Bangladesh, observed in a 2017 rape case that the police should not file a complaint 72 hours after the crime of rape. In the case, five youths are accused of raping two university students.

This observation of the female judge was heavily criticized by the people. Following the pressure, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh has released the judge. Bangladesh Supreme Court spokesman Mohammad Sairoof Rehman said the woman judge had been relieved of her duties for her offensive observation. However, it was not immediately clear how long he was suspended.