Sarjis Alam defends helicopter trip to Magura amid criticism

Sarjis Alam, a prominent leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in the northern region, has spoken out in response to growing criticism surrounding his use of a helicopter to attend the funeral of Asiya, an 8-year-old girl from Magura who tragically died after being raped. 

The incident has sparked intense public debate, with many questioning Sarjis’s decision to travel in such a manner during a sensitive time.

On Saturday, March 15, Sarjis addressed the criticism in a post shared on his verified Facebook account, where he provided a detailed explanation of his actions and decisions. 

He began by acknowledging the public outcry, saying, "Let’s have a straightforward conversation about the footage you’re discussing. A horrific incident occurred, and from my position, I immediately informed the relevant police authorities to expedite the arrest of the accused."

Sarjis also pointed to the High Court’s recent directive that trials for rape cases should be concluded within 180 days, but he argued that this timeline is still too long. 

"From my position, I shared my opinion with an important figure, stating that 180 days is far too long. This should be completed within 1-2 months, otherwise, people forget about the incident, and the punishment for such crimes loses its effectiveness in deterring future offenses."

He further clarified, "It’s not as though I was the only one who spoke out, or that my words directly led to the arrest or any changes in the law. But I felt it was my duty to voice my opinion, and that’s why I did it. I didn’t feel the need to post about it on Facebook at the time."

Regarding his visit to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Sarjis explained that when Asiya was transferred there for treatment, he immediately went to the hospital but refrained from entering the ICU to avoid the risk of infection. 

"When I learned she was in the ICU, I didn’t go in to see her. Visiting from outside the ICU increases the risk of infection. Instead, I gathered information from outside the hospital and left quietly. I didn’t post any pictures or updates on social media."

Later, when the young victim was transferred to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Sarjis said he visited again, accompanied by a few members of the Citizen Party. 

"She was still in the ICU, and visiting was strictly prohibited. I spoke with the on-duty doctor outside the CMH to gather updates and then returned home. Again, I didn’t post anything about it on Facebook."

Sarjis concluded by reflecting on the current situation, noting that the public and the media seem to have based their judgment on just one aspect of the entire situation—the Facebook post he shared. 

"The final part of this entire incident is the only thing I shared on Facebook. But the media and some members of the public started passing judgment, considering this one post as the whole story," he explained.

As the discussions around Sarjis’s helicopter trip continue, his statements highlight his involvement in the legal and medical processes surrounding the tragic case, as well as his calls for faster justice in rape cases. 

However, the public discourse remains divided over whether his actions were appropriate for the situation.