The committee formed to probe the physical assault of a female engineer of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has submitted its report to its chairman. On October 17, some outsiders physically assaulted female superintendent engineer Zarina Khanom over clearing a file in the presence of her immediate boss, Nesar Uddin Khan.  A probe committee was formed, headed by BIWTA director (audit) Siddiqur Rahman on October 17 to look into the incident. According to sources, the committee found the involvement of additional chief engineer (marine and mechanical engineering) Nesar Uddin Khan in the incident. “We have received the probe committee's report. The report has found Nesar Uddin Khan guilty. Nesar failed to protect his colleague as the incident took place in his room. We are considering taking departmental action as per rules and regulations of the BIWTA,” the BIWTA chairman, Commodore M Mahbub-ul Islam, told The Independent yesterday (Tuesday).

“The matter is regrettable. We are investigating the incident and a probe committee has been formed,” the BIWTA chairman had told The Independent on October 17, immediately after the incident. Describing the incident as a criminal offence, Commodore M Mahbub-ul Islam said: “The committee will inquire as to why the outsiders were in Nesar’s room and why the female engineer was physically assaulted.” Zarina remains traumatised after the incident, the BIWTA chairman added.

According to sources in the BIWTA, Rakib and his associate Sagor entered Nesar’s room and told him to put pressure on Zarina to release a file immediately. But Zarina refused to release the file without carrying out the necessary checks. Nesar, Rakib, and Sagor demanded that she cleared the file immediately. At one stage, Rakib slapped the female engineer so hard that she fell to the floor. The BIWTA had temporarily suspended Nesar Uddin Khan and formed a probe committee, headed by BIWTA director (Audit) Siddiqur Rahman, on October 17 to look into the incident.

Cops from Motijheel police station, led by officer-in-charge (OC) Yasir Arafat Khan, visited Nesar’s office and grilled several BIWTA employees about the incident. The main accused, Rakib, was remanded for one day. Abdul Awal, president of the BIWTA Officers' Association, said Nesar had failed to protect his colleague. “It was his (Nesar's) duty to protect Zarina Khanom. Nesar’s role could've been more proactive in protecting Zarina, as the incident took place in Nesar’s office,” he said. Awal said they have requested the higher authorities to take legal action against those involved in assaulting Zarina.