Man Arrested for Allegedly Raping Schoolgirl in Pirgacha

Police in Pirgacha upazila of Rangpur have arrested a 55-year-old man for allegedly raping a 10-year-old schoolgirl. The suspect, identified as Shahidul Islam, was apprehended on Friday afternoon from the Paotana Hat area. Shahidul, a resident of Pratipal village under the Tambulpur union, is the son of Shames Uddin and is a neighbour who is distantly related to the victim as a grandfather.

The incident occurred on Friday afternoon when Shahidul allegedly enticed the third-grade student to accompany him to his house under the pretext of taking her fishing. Taking advantage of the empty house, he assaulted the child. Hearing her cries for help, nearby residents rushed to the spot, causing Shahidul to flee the scene immediately.

Upon learning of the assault, the victim’s family approached the Pirgacha police, who launched an immediate operation. A police team tracked down and arrested the fleeing suspect in the Paotana Hat area within hours of the report. The swift response by law enforcement prevented the suspect from evading arrest by leaving the sub-district.

Following the arrest, the victim’s family lodged a formal complaint, leading to a regular case being registered under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. On Saturday afternoon, the suspect was produced before a court in Rangpur to face legal proceedings. Concurrently, administrative measures have been taken to ensure the victim receives appropriate medical care, including a forensic examination at the district hospital’s One-Stop Crisis Centre to secure evidence for the prosecution.

Selim Malik, the Officer-in-Charge of Pirgacha Police Station, confirmed the details of the arrest. He stated that the police acted with utmost urgency given the severity of the crime against a minor. The local administration is monitoring the case closely to ensure a thorough investigation, while residents have expressed deep shock and demanded strict punishment for the accused.