Ex-Bangladesh leader urges proper investigation into Raudha’s death

Former President of Bangladesh, Hussain Muhammad Ershad has called for proper investigation into the death of young Maldivian model and medical student Raudha Athif – found dead in her university dorm room in Bangladesh.

Ershad served as the 10th President of Bangladesh from 1983 to 1994.

He is the founder and leader of opposition party, Jatiyo Party.

Speaking during a Jatiyo Party event last Sunday, Ershad said Raudha’s death needed proper investigation, and that if she committed suicide, the police needed to investigate whether it had been brought on by sexual or any other abuse.

Raudha was reportedly found hanging from the ceiling fan of her dorm room at Islami Bank Medical College in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, on March 29 by a group of her friends.

Islami Bank Medical College held a special assembly on March 30, following her death, during which the college said Raudha had committed suicide. And that it had been a "bad" decision she took due to depression.

Raudha’s body has been laid to rest at Rajshahi after an autopsy.

The Bangladesh police informed the family it would take two weeks to release the autopsy results, but the police have been quoted by press saying the autopsy ruled Raudha’s death as a suicide.

The family has expressed dissatisfaction over the investigation into the case, and remains adamant Raudha’s death was a murder dressed up as a suicide.

The family said Raudha’s body showed clear signs she was strangled.