Bleeding killed ‘whipped to death’ Bangladesh girl, finds fresh post-mortem report

DHAKA - A 14-year-old Bangladeshi girl, who was publicly whipped for allegedly having an illicit relationship with her married cousin, had bled to death, according to a fresh post-mortem examination.

It comes after a Bangladeshi High Court ordered authorities to exhume Hena Begum’s body, and conduct another autopsy on her after a local autopsy recorded no injuries.

The second post-mortem examination was carried out by a team of doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

“Multiple injuries were found. The girl died because of bleeding,” the BBC quoted Deputy Attorney General Altaf Hossain, as saying.

The police have now opened a murder investigation, and the doctors, who carried out the initial investigation, have been summoned to explain their findings in the court.

Hena was whipped after a village body consisting of local elders ordered that she should receive 101 lashes for allegedly having an illicit relationship with her cousin and neighbour, Mahbub.

The case took shape when Hena had gone out to use the bathroom when she accidentally met Mahbub, who put something on her mouth to stop her from crying out before raping her in Shariyatpur on January 31.

The assault had left her almost unconscious, unable to walk or talk. When her family complained to the shalish, they raised doubts on her character.

After Mahbub’s wife, Shilpi, complained that he had been secretly meeting Hena, village elders found both cousins guilty and ordered that Hena be given 101 lashes, and Mahbub 201.

After the punishment was carried out, Hena was taken to hospital, and six days later, she was pronounced dead. (ANI)