2 APPs fired for defending Shibir leader Jisan in rape case

The Ministry of Law has cancelled the appointments of two Assistant Public Prosecutors (APPs) for briefing journalists in favour of Jisan Mia Pradhan, a Chhatra Shibir leader accused of rape and forced abortion.

An office order signed by Md. Faruk Hossain, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Solicitors Division under the Law and Justice Division, cancelled the appointments of Advocate Monir Hossain Patwary and Advocate Saidul Islam, APPs of the Cumilla District and Sessions Judge Court on Thursday (June 18).

The order stated that the previous appointment decision has been cancelled and it will take effect immediately.

According to the victim’s side and local sources, the two lawyers explained the position in favour of Jisan Mia Pradhan — who is in jail in a recent case of rape and abortion — in front of journalists. The matter then sparked discussion.

Kaimul Haque Rinku, Public Prosecutor of the Cumilla District and Sessions Judge Court, said the issue gained importance because taking a position in favour of the accused while being a lawyer for the state is not acceptable.

However, Advocate Badiul Alam Sujan, Public Prosecutor of the Women and Children's Court, claimed that the two APPs did not formally submit a defense to the court on behalf of the accused; they only briefed the journalists.

Earlier, on June 11, Jishan Mia Pradhan was rescued after being missing and was later shown arrested in the rape and forced abortion case and sent to jail through the court.

According to police, a woman alleged that a relationship developed through a Facebook identity, after which she was raped under the pretext of marriage and later pressured to take abortion medicine.

The court ordered him to be sent to jail on June 16 in this case.