FOUR PEOPLE have been arrested in Bangladesh after the death of a 14-year-old girl who was sentenced to 100 lashes on the orders of a village cleric.
Mosammet Hena died in hospital on Sunday after being beaten with a bamboo cane for allegedly having an illicit relationship with a married cousin. A complaint had been made against her by the man’s wife, Shilpi Begum, at a makeshift court presided over by senior community members.
Begum has now been arrested on suspicion of murder alongside three villagers including imam Mofiz Uddin, who allegedly issued the edict. Another 14 villagers who are accused of taking part in the public lashing, or of being complicit in the girl’s murder by failing to prevent her being whipped, are still being hunted by police.
Mosammet had been dragged inside a house by about 20-25 people, including four women. She collapsed unconscious halfway through and was taken to hospital, where she died a week later. The cousin, who was beaten by his father, is said by police to be on the run. – ( Guardianservice)