Landlord Apprehended Following Alleged Assault of Minor

In a distressing turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the local community, the police have successfully apprehended a 58-year-old man, identified as Abdul Barek, in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a seven-year-old girl. The suspect, who is the landlord of the victim’s family, was taken into custody during a late-night operation on Tuesday, 14 April, in the Dhamrai area of the capital.

Sequence of Events and the Investigation

The victim is the daughter of an employee at Daffodil International University (DIU). The family resides in the Duttapara area of Savar, under the jurisdiction of the Savar Model Police Station. According to official reports, the heinous act took place on the evening of 6 April, while the child’s parents were away at their respective workplaces.

A specialised police team, led by Sub-Inspector Al Amin, the in-charge of the Birulia Police Camp, utilised advanced tracking technology to locate the suspect. After several days on the run, Barek was intercepted at midnight in Dhamrai. Upon his arrest and subsequent preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime, providing investigators with crucial details regarding the timeline of the incident.

Details of the Incident

The harrowing ordeal began at approximately 6:45 pm on 6 April. The victim and her younger sister, aged four, were at home watching television. Exploiting the absence of the parents, Abdul Barek entered the premises. In a calculated move to isolate the elder child, he allegedly handed the four-year-old ten taka and instructed her to go outside to buy sweets.

Once the younger sibling had departed, Barek reportedly locked the door from the inside and proceeded to subject the seven-year-old girl to a brutal sexual assault.

The gravity of the situation came to light when the mother returned from work shortly after 8:00 pm. She discovered her eldest daughter in a state of extreme distress and inconsolable tears. The child immediately sought refuge in her mother’s arms and recounted the traumatic experience. Upon noticing blood on the child’s clothing and physical injuries, the mother immediately confronted the landlord and his wife.

Case Summary and Key Figures

Attempts to Conceal the Crime

When confronted by the victim’s mother, Barek initially admitted to his actions but pleaded for silence, citing his “honour and social reputation.” When the father returned home and learned of the assault, he was understandably incensed. In an attempt to evade justice, the suspect and his wife reportedly begged for forgiveness on their knees.

The father attempted to detain the suspect by locking the room from the outside while he went to seek assistance from neighbours and authorities. However, it is alleged that the suspect’s wife unlocked the door from the inside, facilitating Barek’s escape. He remained a fugitive until the police tracked him down earlier this week.

Institutional Support and Medical Care

Following the incident, the administration of Daffodil International University took swift action. The Proctorial Body and security personnel visited the victim’s home to provide support and coordinate with law enforcement. The university provided an ambulance to transport the child to Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar. Due to the severity of her condition, she was later transferred to the One-Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) at Dhaka Medical College Hospital for specialised treatment.

Legal proceedings are now well underway. It has been confirmed that on 13 April, the victim provided her formal statement before a court of law. The police have reiterated their commitment to ensuring a thorough investigation, with the suspect currently being held as the primary accused in the case filed at Savar Model Police Station.