A criminal investigation has been delayed in Habiganj after local influential figures attempted to resolve a violent sexual assault through an informal village arbitration session, known locally as a salish. Rather than directing the matter to law enforcement, village elders reportedly imposed a fine of 90,000 taka on the accused, effectively attempting to quieten a non-compoundable crime through financial settlement.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of 20 August in the Madhabpur upazila of Habiganj district. According to local sources and family members, the suspect—identified as Hanif Mia, son of Raja Mia—was visiting his in-laws’ home when he allegedly broke into the victim’s house, taking advantage of her family’s absence, and sexually assaulted the teenage girl. The victim’s mother returned home after hearing her daughter’s cries, prompting Hanif to flee the scene. The injured teenager was immediately taken to Habiganj Sadar Hospital, where she was admitted for medical treatment.
Instead of initiating immediate formal legal proceedings, local community leaders convened a salish on Wednesday to handle the matter internally. The mediation session was led by Abedur Rahman Abed, a local Union Parishad (UP) member, and attended by several influential figures, including a former UP chairman from the neighbouring Haripur Union under Nasirnagar upazila in Brahmanbaria.
During the arbitration, the council decided to settle the grave allegation by levying a fine of 90,000 taka on the accused. However, the victim’s family revealed that despite agreeing to the terms out of desperation, they have only received 20,000 taka to date.
Explaining the family’s choice to participate in the informal settlement, the victim’s mother cited severe financial constraints. “We are poor people,” she stated. “Driven by worries over how we could possibly afford to run a court case, we agreed to let UP member Abedur Rahman settle the matter. Although a 90,000 taka fine was set, we have only received 20,000 taka so far.”
When questioned about the council’s decision, UP member Abedur Rahman defended the proceedings, confirming that prominent locals attended the session. He noted that the initial payment had been transferred and that a future date had been established to deliver the remaining balance.
The attempt to settle a violent offence with money has drawn sharp criticism from legal experts and rights advocates. Human rights lawyers stress that under Bangladeshi law—specifically the Prevention of Oppression Against Women and Children Act—rape is a severe, non-bailable, and non-compoundable offence that cannot be settled through private financial arrangements or informal arbitration. Legal experts have noted that village arbitrations attempting to cover up such crimes are unlawful and undermine the judicial process.
Responding to inquiries regarding the incident, the Officer-in-Charge of Madhabpur Police Station, Md Sohel Rana, stated that no official complaint had yet been lodged by the victim’s family. However, he confirmed that law enforcement agencies have taken notice of the situation and are actively looking into the matter to pursue necessary legal action.
