The incident reportedly took place on Friday night, 23 October, in the Shibu Market area of Fatullah. Police are working to identify those allegedly involved, although no formal complaint had been lodged by the child’s family at the time of reporting.
Mahbub Alam, officer-in-charge of Fatullah Police Station, told the media that the child had left home on Friday night to look for a younger sister and had gone to the Chan Mari area.
There, an unidentified man allegedly approached the child, promising to help locate the missing sibling. He then took the child away in an electric three-wheeler towards Shibu Market.
According to the allegations, the child was subsequently taken to an undisclosed location, where several people allegedly sexually assaulted the child before fleeing the scene.
The circumstances in which the child was found injured remain unclear. Police said several unidentified individuals took the child to Khanpur Hospital for medical attention. As no family member or guardian was present at the hospital, medical staff informed the police about the matter.
Following the notification, officers from Fatullah Police Station became involved and took the child to Victoria Hospital. The child was subsequently transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for more advanced treatment because of the seriousness of the injuries.
The officer-in-charge said police were working to establish the identities of those involved and locate the suspects. However, the family had not yet submitted a formal complaint to the police station when the incident was reported.
The investigation is expected to focus on establishing the sequence of events, identifying the alleged perpetrators and determining the location where the assault took place. No suspects had been publicly identified in the information available at the time of reporting.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of children in public spaces, particularly when they become separated from family members or seek help from strangers. Child-safety specialists generally advise children not to accompany unfamiliar people to unknown locations, even when those individuals offer assistance. Families can also help by teaching children how to approach trusted adults, contact the police or seek help from recognised public institutions when they are lost.
In cases involving alleged sexual violence against children, protecting the victim’s identity and privacy is essential. The child’s recovery and access to appropriate medical and psychological support are also important considerations alongside the police investigation.
Police have yet to provide further details about the child’s condition or announce any arrests in connection with the case. The allegations remain under investigation, and the identities and roles of those responsible have not yet been established.
