Taslima Nasrin, a writer living under asylum in India, can file criminal complaints against poets, writers and journalists she says abused her if she returns to Bangladesh, Prime Minister’s Information Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman said. He made the remarks on August 4 while answering journalists’ questions at a press conference in the Information Department conference room at the Secretariat.

Nasrin wrote in one of her books that several prominent poets, writers, left-wing intellectuals and science-minded journalists subjected her to rape, physical abuse and sexual harassment. She also alleged that they were preventing her from returning to the country. Asked about the government’s position, the adviser said a court would consider the matter through the normal legal process if she returned and sought legal recourse.

Rahman said criminal offences never become time-barred and that Nasrin, as an alleged victim, may go to court against those she named. Her autobiographical book “Ka,” published in India as “Dwikhandito,” includes accounts of relationships and alleged sexual abuse involving Imdadul Haq Milan and Syed Shamsul Haq. The source says Syed Shamsul Haq filed a defamation case against Nasrin after she mentioned a secret relationship.