Bangladesh bowler Shahadat Hossain sent to jail, after surrendering in court
Right-arm medium pacer Shahadat Hossain surrendered to the police in connection to allegedly torturing his 11-year-old domestic helper. NDTV reports that the Bangladesh cricketer was remanded to jail.
Hossain’s lawyer Arif Rahman confirmed that the court in Dhaka denied his bail plea and ordered the police to place him under custody. Inspector Shafiqur Rahman said to AFP, "Shahadat surrendered to the court today. We will now take action in accordance to the directives of the court.”
Earlier, Shahadat’s wife, Nritto Shahadat was arrested on Sunday from her parent’s house after the police had received a tip. This followed intense criticism from the media over the apparent inability of the police to nab Hossain which made the investigation's senior officer, Nazrul Islam, address the press and protect the reputation of the police department.
The couple had been absconding for more than 3 weeks ever since cops raided their house and rescued the severely beaten maid in the city of Dhaka. After the incident came to light, the Dhaka police had registered a case of domestic abuse against Shahadat Hossain who had represented his country in more than a hundred international matches.
The victim, Mahfuza Akter who was sent to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment, had revealed to the media that the couple abused and thrashed her repeatedly. Visuals from the television program in which she looked feeble with swollen eyes seemed to back her version of the event.
The law enforcement officers had discovered her with a scorched hand alongside burn-marks throughout her body. In this regard, a case was filed against Shahadat and his wife under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.
In the aftermath of the episode, Hossain had earlier been suspended by the Bangladesh Cricket Board for an indefinite period of time. Then, BCB President Nazmul Hassan had stated, "Unless the investigation ends or there is a decision on the matter, BCB doesn't want to keep any attachment with him. We are quiet, and we will remain quiet. He is more than likely to stay outside cricket. There is no reason to give Shahadat Hossain any leeway, it is quite clear.”
Shahadat Hossain last represented Bangladesh in the 2nd test match against Pakistan in Mirpur which could likely be his final sojourn in international cricket.