Biman MD, wife arrested for alleged torture of child domestic worker

Police have arrested Shafiqur Rahman, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, along with his wife and four others, on charges of severely torturing an 11-year-old domestic worker.

The arrests took place late Sunday night from their residence in Uttara, Dhaka. 

On Monday, they were produced before the court, which rejected their bail petition and sent all six to jail.

According to Uttara West Police Station OC Kazi Rafiq Ahmed, the victim’s father filed a case accusing the household of torturing his daughter, who had been working as a domestic help at the Biman MD’s residence.

The child reportedly suffered brutal physical abuse, with visible injury marks covering much of her body. She is currently receiving treatment at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital in Gazipur.

On Monday afternoon, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner provided Tk 50,000 as financial assistance for the girl’s treatment. 

The amount was handed over by the Joint Commissioner (Crime) on behalf of the Commissioner.

The six individuals arrested are Shafiqur Rahman (Biman MD & CEO), his wife Bithi, housekeepers Rupali Khatun and Sufia Begum and two other household members/staff.

All were produced before Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ehsanul Islam. 

Despite their lawyer’s bail application, the state strongly opposed it, and the court ordered to send them jail.