Tonu rape and murder: Why still no headway?
Even the second
autopsy report is seemingly inconclusive and has
raised more questions
than answers
As the events transpired up until now there is no closure in sight for the family, friends and well wishers of Sohagi Jahan Tanu who was allegedly raped and murdered within several yards from her home inside Comilla Cantonment on March 20. We hoped that the second autopsy report would shed light on what Tanu had to go through before her untimely demise. But the report has further confused the people and potentially complicated the matter even more.
Nine days after the murder when the police had failed to make much headway regarding the case it was handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department on the basis that they are better equipped to carry out sensitive investigations. As the first report failed to explain the cause of death, Tonus body was exhumed for the second post-mortem examination. However, even the second autopsy report is seemingly inconclusive and has raised more questions than answers. We are at a loss to explain the ambiguity of the report as CID earlier found evidence of rape through a DNA test.
Seminal fluids of several persons were found in the DNA test.
Our country has laws that award the severest punishment for rape and murder - the death sentence - if the victim is killed and lifetime imprisonment plus fines if it is a case of rape. But this has not deterred rapists who often choose to kill their victims to avoid identification. In this kind of a scenario usually the ordinary people are forced to endure the burden of the rape or death of their beloved near and dear ones.
It was different this time around after the death of Tonu. She may not be forgotten as easily. People all over the country have shown their outrage, through social media, street protests and human chains, demanding that justice be done. Unfortunately, until now at least nothing positive has come out of this collective fury. However, the authorities, if they want the people to have any faith in them, must ensure that the truth about the murder after possible rape of 19-year-old Tonu is ultimately revealed.
We demand justice not just for Sohagi Janhan Tonu but for all victims of rape and murder that go unpunished. We also expect that exemplary punishment would be meted out to rapists so that no girl in Bangladesh is forced to live in fear. The tragedy is, even nearly three months after the murder the law enforcers are not even seem close to solving the case.
